A 14-YEAR-OLD schoolboy from Limerick who blogs about school, technology, pancakes and chocolate, among other things, was among the winners at the fourth annual Irish Blog Awards held in Cork over the weekend.
Tommy Collison from Limerick scooped the best newcomer award for trusttommy.com
On his blog Tommy says he “hopes to become an actor when he is a few years older” as opposed to when he is “grown up”. One of Ireland’s youngest but most talented bloggers, Tommy is also a drumming and technology enthusiast having been a recent winner at the Young Scientist awards.
Other winners at the annual awards, held on Saturday night at the Cork International Hotel, included Suzy Byrne, the blogger behind mamanpoulet.com who won the best news and current affairs award. Her blog also won the overall award of best blog.
In the past year Suzy’s blog has broken stories about missing solicitor Michael Lynn and even uncovered an album he recorded. Her blog received international attention when she showed up Sarah Palin’s “visit” to Ireland as being a Shannon stopover
Irish Timesjournalist Fiona McCann was also among the winners for her blog "Pursued by a bear". Ms McCann said she was surprised to win the best arts and culture award but found it gratifying to receive an award for something as enjoyable as blogging.
“I was totally gobsmacked. I didn’t expect it. But it was lovely to have it recognised.”
Meanwhile, new blog irisheconomy.ie won best specialist blog for its timely and respected blog on Ireland and the economy. The blog, only set up in December, contains a “dream team” of experts on economics.
Nialler 9 won once again for best music blog, while beaut.ie won in the best fashion blog category.
More than 500 blogs were nominated in 20 categories and each shortlisted blog was judged on average by seven judges. The event was non-commercial, with all profits going to the Rape Crisis Network, and Marymount Hospice in Cork.
The awards have expanded significantly since they were first established by blogger Damien Mulley in 2006.
“There has been a massive improvement in the quality of blogs over the years and there is a far wider range of them, too,” said Mr Mulley.