WEALTH November 12, 2026 0 Comments

How dmg Media’s Four Irish Journalism Wins Reveal the Untold Secrets Behind Crushing Competition in a Cutthroat Market

Ever wondered what it takes for journalists to not just tell stories—but to shake up the status quo and leave everyone talking? Well, this year’s Irish Journalism Awards provided a spectacular showcase, especially for dmg media Ireland, whose writers snagged four shining accolades. From Michael O’Farrell’s sharp business insights to John Lee’s popular columns, Georgina Heffernan’s feature finesse, and Mark Gallagher’s sportswriting prowess—the talent on display is downright impressive. Meanwhile, Fionnán Sheahan of the Irish Independent swept up three awards, spotlighting journalism’s true power to influence politics and public discourse. This isn’t just about trophies; it’s about the relentless pursuit of stories that matter, stories that hit hard, and stories that keep us glued, eager to see what unfolds next. Curious how these media titans made it happen amid the fierce competition of over 900 entries? Dive deeper into the full rundown and the buzz from the Mansion House gala right here. LEARN MORE

dmg media Ireland journalists have won four awards at the Irish Journalism Awards, in association with NewsBrands Ireland and supported by the Google News Initiative.

Michael O’Farrell of the Irish Mail on Sunday won the Business Journalist prize, sponsored by the Creative and Communications Association of Ireland.

John Lee of the Irish Mail on Sunday won the Columnist (Popular) award, and Georgina Heffernan of the Irish Daily Mail was named the winner in the Features (Popular) category.

Mark Gallagher of the Irish Mail on Sunday won for Sportswriter (Popular).

Fionnán Sheahan of the Irish Independent won three awards, including Journalist of the Year for his reporting on Jim Gavin’s failure to pay back overpaid rent to a former tenant, which forced the former Dublin football manager’s withdrawal from the presidential race.

Announcing the overall award, Claire Grady, chair of the Irish Journalism Awards judging panel, said: “This year’s winner has produced an impressive body of work, with stories that have had enormous impact and significant consequences.

“These are the kinds of stories most journalists dream of breaking; stories that capture the public’s attention, have people talking and leave us all gagging to know what happens next.

“And the consequences of this journalist’s reporting have been extraordinary: a presidential candidate forced out of the race for the Áras, and the judgement and authority of the Taoiseach called into question.”

Sheahan also garnered the awards for Scoop and Political Journalist. See the full list of winners below:

Arts Journalism & Criticism: Philip Watson, The Irish Times.
Business Journalist, sponsored by the Creative and Communications Association of Ireland: Michael O’Farrell, The Irish Mail on Sunday.
Campaigning Journalism: The Irish Independent, E-Scooter Campaign.
Columnist (Broadsheet/Compact): Fintan O’Toole, The Irish Times.
Columnist (Popular): John Lee, The Irish Mail on Sunday.
Crime Journalist: Patrick O’Connell, Sunday World / Crime World.
Digital Innovation of the Year: Immersive Storytelling, The Irish Times Immersive Story Team.
Features (Broadsheet/Compact): Mark Paul, The Irish Times.
Features (Popular): Georgina Heffernan, Irish Daily Mail.
Foreign Coverage: Hannah McCarthy, The Irish Times.
Front Page: Troy Troy Troy Again, The Irish Sun.
Headline: The Late Late Troy Show, The Herald.
Investigative Journalism: Conor Gallagher, The Irish Times.
Journalist of the Year: Fionnán Sheahan, Irish Independent.
Magazine of the Year: The Irish Times Ticket – Liam Stebbing, Culture Editor; Martin Doyle, Books Editor; and John Lane, Ticket Production Editor.
News Reporter: John Mooney, The Sunday Times.
Podcast of the Year: Forever My Boys, The Irish Sun.
Political Journalist: Fionnán Sheahan, Irish Independent.
Scoop: Fionnán Sheahan, Irish Independent.
Showbiz Journalist: Niamh Horan, Sunday Independent.
Sportswriter (Broadsheet/Compact), sponsored by Flutter UK & Ireland: Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times.
Sportswriter (Popular): Mark Gallagher, The Irish Mail on Sunday.
Video Journalism: Philip Doyle, Jerome Dunne and Adam Woods, Irish Farmers Journal.
Young Journalist: Patrick O’Donoghue, The Sunday Times Ireland.

The ceremony in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin was presented by broadcaster and journalist Matt Cooper.

The ceremony also heard an address from press ombudsperson Susan McKay, who spoke about the threats and violence faced by journalists and media organisations in Ireland and internationally.

The 2026 Irish Journalism Awards attracted more than 900 entries across 23 categories.

Close to 70 independent judges, chaired by Grady, assessed the entries, recognising the quality, originality, impact and breadth of work published across Ireland’s national news media.

“A strong, independent news publishing industry is essential to a healthy democracy. It takes significant investment, skilled people and a long-term commitment from publishers to produce original journalism that serves the public interest,” said Ann Marie Lenihan, CEO of NewsBrands Ireland.

“The Irish Journalism Awards recognise the people and organisations making that investment every day, and celebrate the talent, ambition and dedication that underpin the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted in this year’s awards.”

Hayley Cochrane, director of news partnerships UK/Northern Europe at Google News Initiative, said: “The Google News Initiative is incredibly proud of our partnership with the Irish Journalism Awards and celebrates the extraordinary talent shaping the Irish media landscape.

“In an era of rapid change, the dedication, integrity and depth of Irish journalism remain absolutely vital to society. We are deeply committed to supporting a sustainable, innovative news ecosystem in Ireland, and are delighted to honour the exceptional storytelling and rigorous reporting reflected in this year’s entries.”

(Pic: Fennell Photography)