Golden Pen media award for Tipperary podcaster
Clonmel's Fergal O'Keeffe was recognised at the Croatian media awards ceremony
Clonmel man Fergal O’Keeffe has returned triumphant from the 22nd Golden Pen Media Awards ceremony in Kvarner, Croatia, with an award for his podcast episode ‘Island Hopping Around Croatia’.
Mr O’Keeffe had covered the tales of the Baltic county on his podcast, Travel Tales with Fergal, where he highlighted the beauty of the Croatian islands, the country’s culture, gastronomy and the warmth of its people. Mr O’Keeffe was the only Irish winner amongst the successful media personalities, coming home with the Golden Pen Media Award.
Fergal was nominated by the London office of the Croatian National Tourist Board and speaking at the awards, the London office director Bisera Fabrio said the nomination came about because ‘it vividly showcased Croatia’s island culture, natural beauty and authentic travel experiences he had while travelling in our country’.
“What I really felt as exceptional is the warmth and enthusiasm Fergal expressed, the love and sympathy for Croatia as well as the stories about Croatian people who are proud of their country and its beauty.
“Through engaging storytelling and with so many emotions, the podcast highlights beauties, localities and local traditions, and Fergal does not only enjoy the places he visits but the journey to them, highlighting Croatian ferries as good old giants that transport a traveller from one island to another.
The Croatian National Tourist Board has organised the Golden Pen Awards since 2005 with the aim of highlighting the value of a professional approach to reporting on Croatia and its tourism, while underlining the importance of media coverage in promoting and raising the profile of Croatia as a tourist destination.
Since its inception in 2020, the Travel Tales with Fergal podcast has garnered a global audience and is listened to in over 140 countries. Fergal was previously honoured as the Local Broadcasting Travel Journalist of the Year in 2024 and 2025 at the Irish Travel Extra Travel Media Awards, and also the Portuguese Story of the Year at the Irish Travel Media Awards in 2026.