Dublin, Monday, 13 December 2021: Ireland’s leading business journalists were recognised at the 14th UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards held virtually today. The awards, which recognise excellence in business journalism – in print, broadcast and online formats – were run in conjunction with the Business Journalists Association of Ireland.

The winners of the six categories for 2021:

Business News Story of the Year – Joe Brennan, The Irish Times

for his submission, “NatWest may wind down Ulster Bank in Republic”.

Business Podcast of the Year – Gavin McLoughlin, Newstalk

for his submission, “Taking Stock: The Reformation of Welfare: The New Faith of the Labour Market with Dr Ray Griffin”.

Business Feature of the Year – Tom Lyons, The Currency

for his submission, “Davy in disgrace: Part 1 – the Belfast developer, the Davy bond dealer and the ex-Anglo banker”.

Specialist Business Reporter of the Year – Killian Woods, Business Post

for his submissions, "State invested in ‘cuckoo fund’ that snapped up hundreds of Maynooth homes” and “Many first-time buyers will be frozen out of purchasing new apartments".

Business Interview of the Year – Killian Woods, Business Post

for his interview with Property Developer Johnny Ronan, “The high-rise of the Ronan empire”.

Upcoming Journalist of the Year – Devin Sean Martin, The Currency

for his submissions, “Piggybacks, monopolies and 5G: What a Virgin Media sale would mean for Ireland’s telecoms market”, “Rough seas: How hiked shipping prices are challenging Irish exporters” and “Lift-off: How Irish start-ups are rocketing into the space industry.”

In addition to the six categories listed above, an Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Dearbhail McDonald for her contribution to journalism. Over the last 20 years, Dearbhail has written prolifically about legal affairs, religious affairs, health, politics and business. She has also written about diversity and inclusion, including gender equality, an issue she has raised with the Future of Media Commission, in her capacity as a co-founder of the Equality Expert Group and through her association with organisations like ‘Women on Air’.

This year, a new award was added. The Outstanding Achievement in Industry Award recognised The Currency for the organisation’s groundbreaking work in championing long-form business journalism on a digital platform in Ireland.

This year’s independent panel of judges was chaired by Breege O’Donoghue, Primark Brand Ambassador; and was comprised of academic, journalistic and business representatives including: JP Donnelly, Head of Country, WPP; Professor Gerardine Doyle, Director of UCD Smurfit Business School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business; Audrey Healy, Head of Marketing and Communications and Director of Alumni Relations; Niamh Hennessy, Client Director, Healy Communications; Professor Anne Keegan, Professor of Human Resource Management, UCD College of Business; Professor Seamas Kelly, Professor of Organisation, Technology & Society, UCD College of Business; Caitlin McBride, Media & Communications Consultant & UCD Smurfit School Image MBA Scholar 2020; Gary McGann, Chairman of Flutter Entertainment plc; Susan O’Keefe, Executive Director of Yeats Society Sligo; Nóirín O’Sullivan, Former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Irish Garda Commissioner; Associate Professor Paul Ryan, Vice Principal for Teaching & Learning, UCD Smurfit School; and Anton Savage, Broadcaster and a founding Director of The Communications Clinic.

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For further information contact: Beth Gormley, UCD College of Business, PH: 087 170 1652, beth.gormley@ucd.ie