Sligo Weekender wins top award in US

The Sligo Weekender newspaper has been honoured with a top world newspaper award in the US.

The West of Ireland weekly was Ireland’s sole winner at the 69th International Newspaper Marketing Awards.

The award was made in recognition of the publication’s campaign to raise €50,000 to buy an ambulance for the Order of Malta in Sligo.

On hand to receive the world award for Community Activity — for newspapers with circulations under 50,000 — was chief executive Brian Feeney.

Some 1,100 entries were received from 180 newspapers throughout 34 countries. The Sligo Weekender was the only newspaper to be recognised from Ireland or from the UK.

Other European winners included the International Herald Tribune in Paris and El Pais of Madrid.

The Sligo Weekender pipped the Dominion Post, West Virginia, USA, to the prestigious award presented by International Newspaper Marketing Association President Eivind Thomsen.

“It’s wonderful to be recognised on the world stage,” said CEO Brian Feeney. “When you look at the quality of newspapers competing for these awards, it brings home the scale of the success achieved by our staff.”

The overall award for Best of Show went to the New York Times.

The Sligo Weekender is part of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Ireland’s fastest-growing newspaper group.

Anthony Dinan, Group Managing Director said, “We are very proud to have won this award, particularly given that it recognizes the work of the newspaper in the local community."

Last year the Sligo Weekender was honoured with an Award of Excellence at the European Newspaper Design Awards in Aachen, Germany.