Travel accolades for ‘Examiner’ writers

Travel may broaden the mind, but travel writers can broaden smiles and two of the Irish Examiner’s nomadic scribes have been honoured for bringing cheer to our readers through their excellence in chronicling trips home and away.

Regular contributor, Pól Ó Conghaile, took the top accolade at the Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year Awards, being named Travel Journalist of the Year, while Isobel Conway won the long-haul category award.

Both writers have been taking readers on armchair adventures through the pages of the Irish Examiner for many years, producing reports that capture the essence of locations near and far with a combination of spirited writing, sharp eyes for detail and stacks of practical information.

Pól Ó Conghaile also won in two individual categories — taking the home market award for his reports from all around Ireland on options for day trips, short breaks, outdoor adventures and family holidays, and also receiving the book award for his publication Secret Dublin.

He won the Travel Journalist of the Year Title for what was described as his “exceptional body of work“, mainly for the Irish Examiner but also for National Geographic.

The Travel Extra awards are contested annually and the winners announced at a ceremony that coincides with the Holiday World Show at the RDS which attracts some 50,000 visitors, showing that, even in a recession, the appetite for exploring travel possibilities remains strong.

Winners were chosen by a panel of senior journalists and awards were made in 11 categories, including sun holidays, ski holidays, short breaks, Northern Ireland, broadcasting, social media, and, in recognition of this year’s sponsors, the Spanish Tourist Board, a special category on Spain.