'Perfectly balanced' Weekend magazine and writers scoop food and journalism awards

The food offering was commended for 'taking readers seriously'

Dave O’Connell presents the Magazine of the Year Award to Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon and Jillian Bolger at the Irish Journalism Awards. Picture: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography 2025

Weekend magazine and its food writers were among the winners at the Irish Food Writing Awards 2025 last night, capping off a week of accolades for the publication.

Three Irish Examiner contributors were honoured at a ceremony at the RDS on Thursday evening. Aishling Moore received the Writing on Seafood Award for her contributions in her Seafood Made Simple column.

Food columnist Michelle Darmody won the Writing on Sustainability in Irish Food Award for her book Seed to Supper, while Caroline Hennessy was recognised in the Writing on Irish Food Producers category for her work with the Irish Examiner and the Irish Farmers Journal.

Weekend was also named Irish Food Magazine or Supplement of the Year, securing a fourth major win for the publication, with Food Editor Jillian Bolger accepting the award.

Food Editor Jillian Bolger with the Irish Food Magazine or Supplement of the Year award for Weekend

“This supplement manages to cram so much in; even leaving aside the blockbuster interview with Jay Rayner (which was really excellent and insightful) nothing in the compact food section felt like a space filler,” said judge Felicity Cloake.

“The recipe pages catered for every taste, and weren't afraid to take readers seriously with focused fish and baking pages as well as more accessible ideas for families, and the ever-wise Darina Allen always had something to teach us. Throw in a whole page on drinks and a proper restaurant review and it felt like a perfectly balanced, satisfying weekend menu."

It follows another win for Weekend earlier this week when the publication won Magazine of the Year at the Irish Journalism Awards. Dave O’Connell described its editors as “worthy winners of this very competitive category” as he presented the award to Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon, and Jillian Bolger on Wednesday.

The publication was commended for its content as well as its page layouts, which were designed by Jayson Carcione.

Read Weekend magazine each Saturday in the Irish Examiner.