The Limerick Voice editorial team pictured on a balcony in the Glucksman Library at UL
Pictured at the launch of the Limerick Voice newspaper were left to right, Aishlin Hennigan, Social Media Manager, Aine Fitzgerald, Editor Limerick Leader, Ellen Gough, Print Editor, Rachel Petticrew, Digital Editor and James Roulston Mooney, Sports Editor Picture: Alan Place
Friday, 14 April 2023

Journalism students at University of Limerick have secured a record number of nominations in the National Student Media Awards.

UL journalism students are represented in 14 separate categories in the 2023 awards – which are known as the SMEDIAs.

Limerick Voice, the award-winning multimedia news platform produced by journalism students at UL, has received nominations in several different categories including Best Newspaper, Best Layout and Design and Website of the Year. 

Limerick Voice Social Media Manager Aishlín Hennigan has also been nominated for Editor of the Year alongside third year journalism student Molly Cantwell who was editor of Curious Magazine, produced by second year journalism students in 2022.

Third year UL journalism student Joe Drennan has been nominated in the prestigious Journalist of the Year National Media category, for the work he produced as part of his work placement with Gay Community News.

The SMEDIAs are the largest competition of their kind in Ireland dedicated to recognising and celebrating the next generation of media talent.

Open to students from every college across Ireland, the awards are judged by key media industry leaders including Mark Hennessey, News Editor of The Irish Times.

“It’s great to see so many nominations for students across our journalism undergraduate degree programme in UL,” said Kathryn Hayes, Course Director BA Journalism and Digital Communication.

“From second year right up to final year, our students are already being recognised by national media industry figures who are involved in the judging process for the SMEDIAs. It’s a wonderful validation for all of our students, particularly those who are preparing to enter the world of work in the coming weeks.”

Digital Editor of Limerick Voice, Rachel Petticrew said: “Looking back, I am extremely proud of the work Limerick Voice has produced over the past year, and the new ways in which we have grown the publication. To receive so many nominations from the SMEDIA judges is a real testament to the standard and consistency of brilliant work contributed year-round by our entire team.

“We pushed the boundaries in establishing a new style for Limerick Voice this year, and that is reflected in our written and audio-visual content as well as our social media platforms. We also published a well-received 32-page Limerick Voice newspaper in March, the standard of which we are immensely proud.”

Social Media Manager and Editor of the Year nominee, Aishlín Hennigan said: “This year, we have extracted the full potential from the social media and utilised every platform. Our success is evidenced by our statistics which show a 20% increase in Instagram followers, multiple videos reaching over 10 thousand views and reaching over thirty thousand Instagram accounts in one month.

“We also put heavy emphasis on video content and encouraged our journalists to get creative with reporting on stories. Our audience responded to this, and I am delighted to say we have more than tripled our TikTok followers.”

The 23rd edition of the National Student Media Awards takes place on Thursday, April 20 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The full list of UL nominees are:

SMEDIAS Nominations 2023

  • Newspaper of the Year – Limerick Voice
  • Website of the year – Limerick Voice
  • Layout and Design – Limerick Voice
  • Editor of the Year – Aishlin Hennigan (Social Media Editor Limerick Voice), Molly Cantwell (Editor Curious Magazine)
  • Journalism Relating to Health – Ellen Cornelius (Fourth year Journalism); Rachel Petticrew (Fourth year Journalism)
  • Features Writer of the Year Arts and Pop Culture – Aishlinn Kelly (Fourth year Journalism)
  • Journalist of the Year National Media – Joe Drennan (Second Year Journalism)
  • Collaborative Journalism – Ellen Gough and Rebecca Lenihan (Fourth year Journalism)
  • Magazine of the Year – Establish (Second year journalism class of 2023); Curious (Second year journalism class of 2022)
  • Small Publication of the Year - Curious (Second year journalism class of 2022)
  • Radio Production of the Year, News and Current Affairs – Ellen Cornelius, Rachel Petticrew, Sadbh Redmond and Ann McDonald (Fourth year Journalism); Caleb Brennan (Fourth year Journalism)