05-02-2010 : Winners of the AIB Photojournalism Awards 2009 announced

Mark Condren, AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2009, pictured with David Sleator, President,
Press Photographers Association of Ireland and Robbie Henneberry, Managing Director, AIB (RoI).

Sunday Tribune photographer, Mark Condren, has been named as the Press Photographers Association of Ireland AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2009. The AIB Photojournalism Awards 2009 were announced at a ceremony in The Burlington Hotel, Dublin, last Friday (05.02.10).

This year, entries for the prestigious awards reached a record high, with over 2,000 images entered by 130 photographers from around the country. The Awards, which are open to members of the Press Photographer’s Association of Ireland, showcase and reward the very best of press photography in Ireland.

This year’s judging panel comprised; Bride Rosney, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, Per Folkver (Danish Award-winning Photographer & former World Press Photo Jury Member) and Seamus Murphy (Renowned award-winning Photographer).

Commenting about this year’s winner, the judge’s said; “This year’s AIB Photojournalist of the Year presented everything you would want from a prize-winning press photography portfolio. The photographs are strong on all aspects of the craft but crucially they also manage to tell the story and give the news with an eye to creating something different, and lasting.”

Prizes were awarded in the categories of News, Features, Sports Action, Sports Features, People, Individual Study, The Arts, Politics and Picture Story, with a special award for Humour.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Robbie Henneberry, Managing Director, AIB (RoI), said; “The AIB Photojournalism Awards highlight and reward the tremendous talents of Ireland’s press photographers. The touring exhibition, which includes 112 images, allows us to showcase these talents to a nationwide audience, through our branch network. On behalf of AIB, I would like to congratulate Mark, on being named the AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2009.”

David Sleator, President, Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said, “I wish to congratulate my colleague Mark for his achievements and contribution to photojournalism in Ireland. The overall quality of Mark’s pictures is exemplary, with each topic handled with both sensitivity and creativity. Mark is a well-respected member of our profession and his dedication and commitment have been well rewarded.”

The AIB Photojournalism Exhibition, featuring 112 prints, opens in AIB Bank, Cornelscourt on Tuesday, 9th February 2010. It will then go on tour, visiting selected AIB branches and other venues nationwide. Masterclasses for schools, camera clubs and photography students will also be held in locations throughout the country over the coming months.