Ireland's most talented young journalists celebrated at awards
IRELAND'S potential future media stars were praised at this year's annual Young Journalist Ireland Awards.
The winners of the Young Journalist Ireland awards, run by NewsBrands Ireland, were announced at a ceremony in the Aviva Stadium, celebrating the outstanding work of secondary school students across the country.
Prizes were awarded across five categories: Features, Opinion, Sports Journalism, Photojournalism, and School Newspaper.
The Student Journalist of the Year went to Grace Callaghan of Pobalscoil na Trionoide, Youghal, Co Cork.
The Christians Chronicle from Christian Brothers College, Cork won school newspaper and the Opinion category went to Tara Walsh of Salerno Secondary School in Galway.
Jessica Murphy of St Mary's Secondary in Macroom, Co Cork won Sports Journalist. And Anna Lohunova from St Clare's Comprehensive, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim won for Photojournalism.
The Overall Student Journalist of the Year 2025 was awarded to Grace Callaghan of Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork for her courageous and deeply personal feature recounting her journey through scoliosis diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.
Speaking about her winning piece, Chair of the Judging Panel and Business Post Editor Daniel McConnell said:
'Grace Callaghan demonstrated an ability to write a truly evocative piece about wrestling with preconceptions around body image and seeing scars not as imperfections but as symbols of resilience in the face of adversity.'
The winning judges' citation reead: This year's winning feature is a courageous and deeply personal journey through scoliosis diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.
"This piece stands out for its ability to reframe a medical condition not as a limitation but as an opportunity for growth.
"Grace challenges societal ideals of perfection and instead offers a powerful message: that scars, far from being blemishes, are markers of survival, strength, and authenticity. Her story does not just inform—it uplifts and empowers."
Now in its 13th year and formerly known as Press Pass, the Young Journalist Ireland programme reaches over 10,000 Transition Year students annually.
The initiative is designed to build media literacy skills, foster critical thinking, and inspire the next generation of journalists. Students learn to assess sources, identify misinformation, and create their own journalism, guided by professional journalists and editors.
Young Journalist Ireland Awards 2025 – Winners
Overall Student Journalist of the YearGrace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork
School Newspaper1st Place: Christians Chronicle, Christian Brothers College, Cork2nd Place: Woodbrook Word, Woodbrook College, Bray, Co. Wicklow3rd Place: Pressing Matters, Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Opinion1st Place: Tara Walsh, Salerno Secondary School, Galway2nd Place: Daisy Braithwaite, Friends' School, Lisburn3rd Place: Leah Vance, Our Lady's Secondary School, Terenure
Sports Journalism1st Place: Jessica Murphy, St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork2nd Place: Claire Harty, Salesian College, Limerick3rd Place: Ava Ashman, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork
Features1st Place: Grace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork2nd Place: Vikoriia Sydorova, Elphin Community College, Co. Roscommon3rd Place: Rachel Twomey, St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork
1st Anna Lohunova, St. Clare's Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
2ndEimear Carey, St. Aloysius' College, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
3rd Grace Callaghan, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal, Co. Cork
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