The shortlist for the 2026 Irish Journalism Awards has been announced, with national news titles competing across 23 categories covering reporting, investigations, commentary and digital storytelling.
The awards, held in association with NewsBrands Ireland and supported by Google News Initiative, will take place on November 12 at the Round Room in Dublin’s Mansion House.
Titles represented include The Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Business Post, The Sunday Times, The Currency, The Journal and The42.ie.
Also shortlisted are Sunday World, Crime World, The Herald, Irish Daily Mail, The Irish Mail on Sunday, EVOKE, The Irish Sun, Irish Daily Star, Irish Mirror, Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living.
An independent judging panel chaired by Claire Grady assessed entries against criteria including subject matter, reporting rigour, writing style, originality and impact.
NewsBrands Ireland Chief Executive Ann Marie Lenihan said the shortlisted work demonstrated the resources required to produce original journalism.
“The breadth and quality of work on this year’s shortlist is a powerful reminder of what goes into producing original journalism of this depth. Behind every investigation, interview and carefully reported story is significant time, expertise and investment,” she said.
Lenihan also highlighted concerns about the use of publishers’ content by artificial intelligence systems.
“At a time when AI can take and reproduce original journalism without recognition or payment, we must recognise the journalists whose time, expertise and investment go into creating the original work that informs the public and holds power to account,” she said.
“The shortlisted entries represent some of the very best journalism being produced in Ireland today, and we look forward to celebrating the journalists and teams behind this outstanding work at the awards in November.”
Google’s Director of News Partnerships for the UK and Northern Europe, Hayley Cochrane, said Google News Initiative was renewing its partnership with the awards.
“In an era of rapid change, the dedication, integrity, and depth of Irish journalism remain absolutely vital to society,” she said.
“We are deeply committed to supporting a sustainable, innovative news ecosystem in Ireland, and I look forward to honouring the exceptional storytelling and rigorous reporting reflected in this year’s entries.”
The Creative and Communications Association sponsors the Business Journalism category, while Flutter UK & Ireland, owner of Paddy Power, sponsors Broadsheet Sports Journalism. Edelman Ireland is an awards patron.
Entries were open to journalism published in print, online, video or audio by national news titles that are members of the Press Council of Ireland and focus on national or international news.
The full shortlist and links to the shortlisted work are available on the awards website.
