April University celebrates student success in journalism and societies

University of Galway students have won big at the annual National Student Media Awards (Smedias) and the BICS – Board of Irish College Societies. 

The Discipline of Journalism praised the standard of work and achievements of MA and BA students, after scooping a Smedias award for their online newspaper Galway Pulse. 

Law student Tom O’Connor made it a success two-years in a row at the Smedias, walking off with three awards for his radio reports on politics, refugees, religion and education in Uganda as well as the Sleep Out for Simon event on campus. In 2023, Tom O’Connor won the Smedias podcast of the year for a documentary on Kevin Boyle, a leading figure in the Northern Ireland civil rights movement. 

Societies took home seven awards from the BICS – more than any other university.  

Ríona Hughes, Societies Officer at University of Galway, said: “I could not be more proud of all the students from the University who represented us at the BICS National Society Awards. They represent the vital impact societies have on campus life creating invaluable opportunities for the students to enrich their learning journey and creating meaningful opportunities for their fellow students. Winning these seven awards is a fitting end to a very busy year for our societies.” 

Dr Mei-Ling McNamara, Assistant Professor and Programme Director of the MA/BA Journalism, said: “The MA Journalism and BA Journalism students at University of Galway have shown exceptional talent and dedication to high-production multimedia storytelling. They should all be very proud that their hard work in journalism is being recognised at the national level.” 

Enda Cunningham, editor of Galway City Tribune and lecturer, said: “The awards are fantastic news and a well-deserved win for all involved. It gives recognition to the hard work and dedication of University of Galway students against the backdrop of very strong competition from their peers across the country. The exceptionally high standard of content produced by the Galway Pulse team over the past year is indication that the future of journalism is in safe hands.”

The full list of University of Galway winners from the Smedias is: 

• Website of the Year – online newspaper Galway Pulse. 
• Virgin Media Belonging Award - MA student Michelle Geraghty for her work on accessibility in Galway’s parks 
• Radio Journalist of the Year – Tom O’Connor – Law 
• Radio Doc of the Year and Radio Production – News and Current Affairs – Tom O’Connor – Law 

The full list of University of Galway winners from the BICS is: 

• Best Mental Health Promoting Event - University of Galway Law Society
• Best Green Initiative - Environmental Society for the Organic Garden relocation
• Best Fresher Large College - Latisha McCrudden, Law, Politics and Minceirs Whidden Societies University of Galway
• Best Event Large College Fansci - Itzacon University of Galway
• Best Departmental Society Large College - University of Galway Zoological Society
• Best Society Charity Civic Large College - University of Galway Feminist Society
• Best Society Cultural Academic Social Large College - University of Galway Dramsoc

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