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The winners of the 2008 Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural awards have been announced today, with the director of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism Philip Watt and comedian Des Bishop picking up prizes.

Mr Watt received the Judges' Special Award in recognition of the work both he and the NCRI have carried out over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, Bishop picked up the wins Foras Na Gaeilge award for the TV series In the Name of the Fada.

The awards, which were held in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin this afternoon, also included special prizes to St Saviour's Boxing Club and O'Connells School, both in Dublin's inner city.

The Dorset Street boxing club received a €5,000 bursary from the Iris O'Brien Foundation in honour of its efforts to promote integration through sport, while the O'Connell School acooped the National Action Plan Against Racism Award for its support of pupils from immigrant families and non-EU students who go on to third level.

RTÉ Radio One's diversity and intercultural programme Spectrumwas also presented with an award, in the Broadcast Media category.

The awards, which are now in their seventh year, were hosted by Newstalk's Ger Gilroy and cultural diversity commentator Shalini Sinha. The Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan also attended the ceremony.

Full list of winners:

Multicultural

Individual: Utsav Lal
Non-Governmental Sector: Fáilte Isteach Project (Third Age Foundation/Mary Nally)
Public Sector: Dublin City Libraries "Many Faces Many Places"
Private Sector: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin Northwood
Multinational Organisations: Dell

Media

Print Media: Kid's Own Publishing
Broadcast Media: Spectrum, RTE Radio One
Visual Media: Saviours Documentary - Ross Whitaker & Liam Nolan
Student Media: Julian Ulrichs and Richard Walsh "FGM: No Way Home"
Online/Web Media: Garda John Condruin www.nicnewcommunities.ie

Foras Na Gaeilge Award: In the Name of the Fáda/Des Bishop
Iris O'Brien Foundation Bursary Award: St Saviours Boxing Club
National Action Plan Against Racism Award: O'Connell School, Dublin
Judges' Special Award: Philip Watt, Director, National Consultative Committee on Racism & Interculturalism