Students from University of Galway have received a record-breaking 19 nominations at this year’s National Student Media Awards, with strong representation across major journalism, radio and Irish-language categories.
This year sees a huge increase on last year’s seven nominations and three wins
Among the most nominated individuals, Finn Brady has been shortlisted for both Journalist of the Year and Iriseoireacht trí Ghaeilge (Scríofa). Emma van Oosterhout and Tara McGivern have also secured multiple nominations, earning recognition for Journalism Relating to Health and Podcast of the Year, as well as a joint nomination with Rosa Boran in Radio Production of the Year – News and Current Affairs, and Features Writer of the Year (News & Current Affairs) for McGivern.
Fionn Murray is also nominated in Radio Production of the Year – News and Current Affairs, alongside a separate nomination with Conall Diggin for Collaborative Journalist of the Year.
Elsewhere, Éimear Stockmann has been shortlisted for both Features Writer of the Year (News & Current Affairs) and the Joe Drennan Award for Journalism Relating to Road Safety, which also sees Finnian Cox and Kate Flores nominated.
In Irish-language and audio categories, Aela Ní Ghaoithín has been nominated for Cruthaitheoir Ábhair Gaeilge na Bliana, and Katie Ní Bhaoill for Radio Documentary of the Year. Dylan Hudson and James Ffrench have been shortlisted for Radio Production of the Year – Arts & Features.
Creative categories are also represented, with Laurel Ashcom and Eabha Ní Lionáird nominated for Short Story of the Year. Octavian Albu has been shortlisted for Photographer of the Year, while Katelyn Murray and Róisín Gallagher have been nominated for Radio Presenter of the Year.
The National Student Media Awards (SMedias) recognise emerging media talent from colleges and universities across Ireland. University of Galway has consistently performed strongly at the awards, with this year’s record tally marking a significant milestone for the institution.
The awards will take place on 29 April at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin.
The nominations are as follows (nominated pieces linked):
Journalist of the Year – Finn Brady
Iriseoireacht trí Ghaeilge (Scríofa) – Finn Brady
Journalism Relating to Health – Emma van Oosterhout & Tara McGivern
Podcast of the Year – Emma van Oosterhout & Tara McGivern
Radio Production of the Year (News & Current Affairs) – Emma van Oosterhout, Tara McGivern & Rosa Boran
Radio Production of the Year (News & Current Affairs) – Fionn Murray
Collaborative Journalism of the Year – Conall Diggin & Fionn Murray
Features Writer of the Year (News & Current Affairs) – Éimear Stockmann
Features Writer of the Year (News & Current Affairs) – Tara McGivern
The Joe Drennan Award for Journalism Relating to Road Safety – Éimear Stockmann
The Joe Drennan Award for Journalism Relating to Road Safety – Finnian Cox
The Joe Drennan Award for Journalism Relating to Road Safety – Kate Flores
Cruthaitheoir Ábhair Gaeilge na Bliana – Aela Ní Ghaoithín
Radio Documentary of the Year – Katie Ní Bhaoill
Radio Production of the Year (Arts & Features) – Dylan Hudson & James Ffrench
Short Story of the Year – Laurel Ashcom
Short Story of the Year – Eabha Ní Lionáird
Photographer of the Year – Octavian Albu
Radio Presenter of the Year – Katelyn Murray & Róisín Gallagher
