Posted 22 April 2010
UCD student journalist wins Editor of the Year in Oxygen.ie National Student Media Awards
Caitriona Laverty of the UCD University Observer was named Editor of the Year (sponsored by The Irish Independent) at the 10th anniversary Oxygen.ie National Student Media Awards.
Caitriona, (Medicine, 2009) a native of Stranorlar, Donegal won the praise of judge John Walshe of the Irish Independent, who said that she fully deserved her award as the editor of ‘a classy publication’.
This hugely successful event was attended this year by over 600 students and national media personalities, including hosts Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí O Sé, broadcaster George Hook, Paul Williams of The News of the World, Samantha Libreri of RTE and 2fm’s DJ Ruth Scott.
Pictured far right: Caitriona Laverty of the UCD University Observer (Photo: Irish Independent)
Geraldine Kennedy (Editor of The Irish Times), Noirin Hegarty (Editor of The Sunday Tribune), Niall Stokes (Hot Press) and Micheál Ó Meallaigh (TG4) were among the highly respected judges for the 33 categories rewarding excellence in student media.
Judge Eoin Mc Vey, Managing Editor of the Irish Times, said “The Smedias has very high standards and competition is very tight. Without a doubt, being involved in college based media is a tremendous training ground, and The Smedias are particularly useful for prospective employers in singling out the journalistic talent that is produced by Ireland’s universities. We attach great importance to the Award and value our annual involvement hugely.”
In total, UCD students picked up 7 awards.
Editor of the Year
Judged By: John Walshe, Education Editor, The Irish Independent
WINNER: Catriona Laverty - The University Observer - University College Dublin
Colour Writer of the Year
Judged By: Noirin Hegarty, Editor, Sunday Tribune
WINNER: Jamie Martin - Jamie's World - University College Dublin
Sports Photographer of the Year
Judged By: Brian Gavin, PPAI News Photographer 2009
WINNER: Dáire Brennan - University College Dublin
RSA Award for Journalism relating to Road Safety
Judged By: Brian Farrell, RSA
WINNER: Peter Molloy - Aftermath - University College Dublin
Iriseoireacht trí Ghaeilge (Scríofa)
Judged By: Gerry Millar, Editor of the Daily Mirror Northern Ireland
WINNER: Maria Ní Shíthigh - University Observer - University College Dublin
Iriseoireacht trí Ghaeilge (Raidió)
Judged By: Cathal Poirtéir, Irish Language Programming RTE
WINNER: Jack Ó Leocháin & Eoin ÓMurchú - Tuairisc - University College Dublin
Travel Writer
Judged By: Colm Hanratty, Editor Hostelworld.com
WINNER: Kris Goodbody - A Cycle to the Cyclades - University College Dublin
This year’s Newspaper of the Year award went to The University Times, Trinity College Dublin
Event organiser and Oxygen.ie MD Colman Byrne said: “We are delighted that the Smedias continue to go from strength to strength. I can honestly say that this year was our biggest and best yet, with a record number of entries received.
“It’s heartening to see such support for students from industry professionals, and after a decade of rewarding talent The Oxygen.ie National Student Media Awards are now firmly established as part of the syllabus for aspiring media stars.”
"The current downturn in the economy has made a highly competitive profession even more so. The Smedias is a way for students to make themselves stand out from the crowd."
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
