ITTN’s Julia Labedz and Katie Doyle were in attendance at the Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year Awards 2025, which took place on Friday, January 23rd, in the Thomas Prior Hall, Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge. The evening brought together leading figures from across Irish travel media and the wider industry to celebrate excellence in travel journalism!
Opening the ceremony, Travel Extra Editor Eoghan Corry highlighted the importance of the awards and the vital role travel journalists continue to play in informing, inspiring and supporting both consumers and the travel industry.
The 2025 awards spanned a broad range of categories, starting with the Best Home Market (Ireland) category, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland. The award went to Pól Ó Conghaile, recognised for his coverage of domestic travel. Jim Gallagher won the award for the Best Northern Ireland piece, sponsored by Tourism Northern Ireland, while Daragh Keany received the Best Long Haul award, sponsored by Cassidy Travel.
The Best Short Haul award, sponsored by Sunway and Constantinou Bros Hotels Cyprus, was presented to Tom Sweeney, while Domhnall O’Donoghue was recognised for his commitment to responsible storytelling with the Best Sustainable award, sponsored by the Spanish Tourism Office and Andalucia Tourism. Catherine Murphy took home the Best Adventure & Skiing award, sponsored by Söll Tourist Board Austria in association with Aer Lingus.
In digital and broadcast categories, Deirdre Mullins was named Best Digital Media, sponsored by Click&Go Holidays. Tracy O’Connor of Nationwide received the Best Broadcasting – National award, sponsored by TUI, while Fergal O’Keeffe was honoured with Best Broadcasting – Local, sponsored by UWalk.ie and Navan Travel.
The Gerry O’Hare Memorial Award for Best Newcomer Journalist, sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority, was awarded to Emer Roche, recognising emerging talent within Irish travel media.
The evening’s top honour, Travel Extra Journalist of the Year, sponsored by the Spanish Tourism Office and Costa del Sol Tourism, was presented to Cían Byrne. Author of the Moon Travel Guide to Ireland, Byrne was recognised for his outstanding body of work, particularly his expert knowledge and storytelling around cycling and adventure travel.
The awards ceremony was an absolutely standout night for Ireland’s travel media community, filled with plenty of celebration and commemoration of Ireland’s finest travel writers!
