Tipperary journalist Aislinn Kelly wins top award for her incredible feature writing

Aislinn Kelly, who works with The Nationalist, has won a prestigious national journalism award for her feature writing in her local paper and on tipperarylive.ie.

The New Inn woman, who is a fourth year journalism student in the University of Limerick, won Features Writer of the Year Arts and Pop Culture at the National Student Media Awards held last week - known as the SMEDIAs.

The award ceremony that took place in the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, April 20 was attended by media figures such as Catriona Perry and Laura Whitmore.

Aislinn won for an article published in The Nationalist earlier this year on Rossa Pottery.

The opening line of the wonderful piece reads: “In the workshop adorned with terracotta splashed walls and scrawls of formulae only a true master could decipher, the unique art of Rossa Pottery emerges from the hands of potter Alan Walsh”.

She also entered an interview with Tipperary artist Peter Curling alongside an interview with TV presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin.

The opening line, of her almost 1,000 word Peter Curling feature, read: “Tipperary is home to a world-class horse racing industry and for artist Peter Curling, this vibrant world often provides a source of inspiration for his renowned works.

“Based in Goold’s Cross where his home, stud farm and studio is located, Peter’s work can be defined for its ability to capture the distinct energy of horses and their riders.”

Reacting to her big win, Aislinn said: “I’m so delighted to finish my four years studying journalism with this achievement. I have always been passionate about writing about art and hope to be able to pave a career doing just that.”

Alongside The Nationalist, Aislinn has worked with Limerick’s Live 95 and student newspaper An Focal where she ran an art history series.

She has had a lifelong love of reading and English, and undertook a minor in literature as part of her journalism undergraduate.

Her studies also took her to Stockholm where she spent a semester studying art history and aesthetics.

Her first pieces were published with The Nationalist where she has freelanced since the age of 18.

Aislinn said: “I’ve always been determined to work as a writer, despite the many challenges there are in the industry.

Aislinn dedicated the award to her aunt Noreen Ryan who she attributes her love of art to as she introduced her to history and drawing from an early age.

“There’s absolutely no feeling like telling people's stories and seeing the final result in print. I am so grateful to everyone who let me in their studios, businesses and lives and trusted me to tell their stories. There’s a wealth of talent and character in Tipperary that has been such a privilege to showcase.”

The SMEDIAs are the largest competition of their kind in Ireland dedicated to recognising and celebrating the next generation of media talent. Open to students from every college across Ireland, the awards are judged by key media industry leaders including Mark Hennessey, News Editor of The Irish Times.