Irish Examiner's Gay Byrne tribute named Front Page of the Year

Irish Examiner's front page tribute to Gay Byrne.

The Irish Examiner’s tribute to Gay Byrne has been named Front Page of the Year at the NewsBrands Ireland Journalism Awards 2020.

The news that ‘Uncle Gaybo’ had died shocked the country last November although he had been ill for some time.

As the country mourned a broadcasting legend, the Irish Examiner's front page summed up a life well lived with a quote from the man himself: “It’s been a fantastic carousel. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you and goodnight.” 

Alongside the quote, the smiling face of the man who was welcomed into homes across the country for five decades.

The Front Page of the Year goes to @irishexaminer 👏👏👏😀 pic.twitter.com/B2exU1q7gb

— NewsBrands Ireland (@newsbrandsirl) November 18, 2020

 

Elsewhere the Irish Times 'Lives Lost' series, edited by Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, won the Overall Journalist of the Year award.

The series focused on people who died from the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland and among the diaspora and was the winner of the Best Coverage of Covid-19 award.

Cormac McQuinn and Fionnán Sheahan of the Irish Independent won the Best Scoop award for revealing the political scandal which came to be known as ‘Votegate’.

The Irish Independent’s political team picked up the Investigative Journalism award for its coverage of the political scandal.

Claire Scott of the Irish Mail on Sunday was named Young Journalist of the Year, while the Irish Times won for Best Website.

Media minister Catherine Martin said: "As we look around the world, we see how disinformation can poison public opinion, undermining the very core of democracy. 

"It is more important than ever to have good quality journalism which gains the trust of the public."

For the full list of winners, see journalismawards.ie.