The Irish News
Encyclopedia
The Irish News is a compact
-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist
in outlook. It focuses primarily on Ulster
content, though it is also available throughout Ireland
.
and has been so since its launch on 15 August 1891 as an anti-Parnell
newspaper. Bringing events more up-to-date, the paper saw a dramatic growth in its circulation, with the beginning of The Troubles
in 1968, peaking around the time of internment in 1971.
Most newspapers were slow to recognise that this would be only a short–term situation, and coupled with major changes in how radio and television news was presented, circulation declined almost as rapidly as it had risen.
In June 1982, the paper came under total control of the company’s present owners, and the fortunes of the paper began to change dramatically. It is the second most read newspaper in Northern Ireland and it is also widely read in County Donegal
. The newspaper is also well-known for its coverage of Gaelic games
.
consortium who own six radio stations across Northern Ireland: Five FM
, Six FM
, Seven FM
, Q97.2
, Q101.2
and Q102.9
. They are also involved with one of the fastest expanding local newspaper companies on both sides of the border, River Media
, who, along with Alpha Newspapers, are also investors in the Northern Media Group.
It recently launched a viral video service entitled INTV, similar in style to YouTube
featuring Television Broadcast journalists reporting on and discussing topics mentioned in the paper. The paper also launched their Irish language
section, An tEolas, with an island-wide billboard and television campaign.
Compact (newspaper)
A compact newspaper is a broadsheet-quality newspaper printed in a tabloid format, especially one in the United Kingdom. The term is used also for this size came into use in its current use when The Independent began producing a smaller format edition for London's commuters, designed to be easier...
-sized daily newspaper based in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It is perceived as being broadly Irish nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
in outlook. It focuses primarily on Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
content, though it is also available throughout Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
History
The Irish News is the only independently-owned daily newspaper based in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and has been so since its launch on 15 August 1891 as an anti-Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
newspaper. Bringing events more up-to-date, the paper saw a dramatic growth in its circulation, with the beginning of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in 1968, peaking around the time of internment in 1971.
Most newspapers were slow to recognise that this would be only a short–term situation, and coupled with major changes in how radio and television news was presented, circulation declined almost as rapidly as it had risen.
In June 1982, the paper came under total control of the company’s present owners, and the fortunes of the paper began to change dramatically. It is the second most read newspaper in Northern Ireland and it is also widely read in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The newspaper is also well-known for its coverage of Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
.
Recent expansion
The Irish News is part of the Northern Media GroupNorthern Media Group
The Northern Media Group is the largest local radio group in Northern Ireland, owning six stations. The company was formed from a consortium which included The Irish News, River Media and the Alpha Newspaper Group and is based in Cookstown and Ballymena....
consortium who own six radio stations across Northern Ireland: Five FM
Five FM
Five FM is a radio station based in Newry, County Down. It broadcasts on FM 100.5/101.1FM to Newry City and the surrounding areas of Northern Ireland. The station broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community information for the area...
, Six FM
Six FM
Six FM is a radio station based in Cookstown, County Tyrone. It broadcasts on 106 & 107.2 FM to the Mid Ulster region of Northern Ireland plus other areas, or more specifically East Tyrone, South Londonderry and North Armagh. The station broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community...
, Seven FM
Seven FM
Seven FM is a radio station based in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ulster. It broadcasts on FM 107 to the north east of Northern Ireland. The station is located just outside of Ballymena. Seven FM broadcasts a mix of news, sport, music and community information for the area...
, Q97.2
Q97.2
Q97.2 "Causeway Coast Radio" is a radio station based in Coleraine, County Londonderry. It broadcasts on FM 97.2 to the north coast. Part of the Q Radio network which also owns a number of other stations in Northern Ireland. Q97.2FM broadcast from a building located on the Cloyfin Road in Coleraine...
, Q101.2
Q101.2
Q101.2 FM West is a radio station based in Market Street, Omagh, County Tyrone and in Belmore Mews Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.It broadcasts on the FM frequency on 101.2 to Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and the surrounding counties....
and Q102.9
Q102.9
Q102.9 "Northwest's Best Music" is a radio station based in Derry, County Londonderry. It broadcasts on FM 102.9 to the north west of Northern Ireland, Q102 also broadcasts via DAB throughout Northern Ireland via the Score NI multiplex. It is part of the Q Radio Network, which also owns a number...
. They are also involved with one of the fastest expanding local newspaper companies on both sides of the border, River Media
River Media
River Media is a media group based mainly in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Operating a chain of 6 weekly newspapers and six radio stations, the firm also owns Strawberry Media, an in-house advertising agency specializing in graphic design, public relations and website development...
, who, along with Alpha Newspapers, are also investors in the Northern Media Group.
It recently launched a viral video service entitled INTV, similar in style to YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
featuring Television Broadcast journalists reporting on and discussing topics mentioned in the paper. The paper also launched their Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
section, An tEolas, with an island-wide billboard and television campaign.
Circulation
In the period December 2010-June 2011, it had an average daily circulation of 43,647.Awards
- The Irish News won the CIPR Newspaper of the Year Award six years out of nine between 1999 and 2008.
- 2006: CIPRChartered Institute of Public RelationsThe Chartered Institute of Public Relations is the professional body for PR practitioners in the United Kingdom. Founded in February 1948 as the Institute of Public Relations, by 2009 it had grown to over 9000 members involved in all aspects of the public relations industry, and is the largest...
Best Supplement – Weekend
- 2007: Production Journal Regional Newspaper of the Year
- 2007: Newspaper Society Promotional Campaign of the Year
- 2007: Newspaper Society UK Regional Press Photographer of the Year (Mal McCann)
- 2007: CIPR Best Supplement – Weekend
- 2008: CIPR Production Journalist of the Year (Jeremy Kirker)
- 2008: Annual Irish Print Awards' National Newspaper Award
- 2008: CIPR Print Business Journalist (James Stinson)
- 2008: CIPR Business Journalist of the Year (James Stinson)
- 2008: CIPR Newspaper and Daily Newspaper of the Year