Author: PressPassAdmin

A class of Transition Year students from Coláiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon had the opportunity this week to meet Sunday Times editor and Buncrana native Kieran McDaid for a journalism workshop.

The workshop, organised by NewsBrands Ireland as part of their Young Journalist Ireland school programme, gave students the unique opportunity to discover what happens behind the scenes in a newsroom. Kieran spoke about how he got into journalism and how the industry is innovating to reach younger audiences through a variety of platforms. Topics covered included: how journalism is attracting younger readers in an era of TikTok; the rise in citizen journalists; ethics and regulation of the press, and tips for students who wish to pursue a career in journalism.

Students from the class were also lucky enough to get advice on unique news angles for their entries and tips on what makes for a good story.

Ballyshannon has a proud history of producing journalists such as Irish Times US correspondent Keith Duggan,  Irish Daily Mail sports journalist Mark Gallagher, Fiona Dillon (former assistant news editor for the Irish Independent), Katie Gallagher, Showbix reporter with the Irish Daily Star, and Shane Dillon (deputy editor of The Impartial Reporter). Michael Daly, retired editor of the Donegal Democrat, is also from Ballyshannon.

Speaking about the workshop, English teacher Tara Dillon said:  

“Kieran delivered an engaging and insightful talk about the world of journalism. With a perfect mix of humour and expertise, he emphasised the importance of storytelling, accuracy and staying curious when writing.”

One of the students added that: “Kieran McDaid was very interesting. He used real-world examples and personal stories to bring his job to life. He explained how media has evolved and will continue to do so. He answered all our questions and gave us great advice for our competition entries. “

Sunday Times Ireland Editor Kieran McDaid has been a reporter for more than 20 years and has worked at a number of publications both regional and national. He began his journalism career in 2001 as a reporter with The Irish News in Belfast before moving to the Press Association news agency. He also had stints as Deputy News Editor at the Irish Independent, Assistant Editor (Head of Content) at the Irish News of the World, and Editor of The Irish Sun.

Pictured are TY students Dylan McCartney, Ava Moore Sutcliffe, Jack Williams and Ellen Golden from the Institute of Education, Leeson Street, who are all taking part in this year’s programme.

Almost 10,000 Transition Year students from over 200 schools nationwide have signed up for the 2025 Young Journalist Ireland programme from NewsBrands Ireland.

Previously known as ‘Press Pass’, the Young Journalist Ireland news literacy programme has been running in schools since 2012. It aims to encourage the next generation of journalists, and to foster news literacy skills in young people. The programme teaches students to understand the principles and ethics of fact-based journalism, to think critically like a journalist by questioning information sources, and to develop skills in identifying misinformation and disinformation

As well as developing critical thinking skills, the programme encourages students to create their own journalism with advice and resources from journalists on how to create a school newspaper, write an impactful opinion piece, match report, or feature article on a local issue. A highlight of the programme is the annual competition to find the Young Journalist of the Year. Categories include School Newspaper, Features Journalism, Opinion Journalism, Sports Journalism, and Photojournalism. Entries are judged by a panel of national news journalists and editors.

CEO of NewsBrands Ireland Ann Marie Lenihan said: “There is increasing demand from schools for our Young Journalist Ireland programme, and we have collaborated closely with teachers and media literacy experts to create new resources and a dedicated website. To combat disinformation and misinformation, it’s crucial for young people to learn how to distinguish credible news sources from unreliable ones, and understanding the standards and protocols followed by professional journalists is essential in this process.”

“Encouraging young people to pursue journalism is more important than ever, as it provides them with the skills to tell their own stories and the confidence to engage in discussions about politics, social change, and more. Young people often feel their voices are overlooked on these issues, so offering them the chance to express their opinions through journalism is essential for fostering active citizenship in their communities.”

Registration is now open for Young Journalist Ireland 2025. Registered schools receive:

Complete lesson plans designed by teachers for teachers

Curriculum aligned resources to teach the four main language types – information, argument, narration, and persuasion – through journalism

Free subscriptions to Irish news websites and award-winning journalism

School talks from journalists and editors

Journalism and News Literacy CPD workshops for teachers in partnership with Oide, the support service for teachers and school leaders