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Twenty Major lights up Irish Blog Awards
05-03-2007
by Maxim Kelly

 

The acerbic rantings of Twenty Major once again scooped him the top accolade at the awards ceremony held at the Alexander Hotel; he also picked up the comedy prize for the second year running.

A mob of around 350 bloggers, vloggers and podcasters attended the awards ceremony -- now in its second year -- and the crowd were surprised to see the notoriously publicity-shy Twenty pick up 'Bloscars' for the overall Best Blog and Most Humorous Post for the second year running, but this time in person.

"There're no limits to Irish blogging," said the dressed-in-black Mr Major speaking with ENN after the event. "It's great to see these awards have grown in scope since last year and you'll see more specialist blogs appear now in the future. The only limit to it is the technology in place on the internet."

Two awards also went to beauty and cosmetics blog, Beaut.ie, which scooped both the Best Newcomer and Best Designed Blog. Not surprisingly, the two immaculately turned out Beaut.ie writers also won a spot prize for the night's Best Dressed Blogger. Kirstie McDermott of Beaut.ie thanked her readers for "all their brilliant comments and feedback."

Leading techie Bernie Goldbach collected two awards too: Best Technology Blog, and Best Contribution to the Irish Bloggersphere. In a gesture that drew a standing ovation from the assembled onlookers, Goldbach handed the trophy for Best Contribution to event organiser and fellow blogger Damien Mulley. "I've been punk'd by Bernie," said the ever-modest Mulley.

The winner of the Best News/Current Affairs category went to the IrishElection.com, which also picked up the award for Best Political Blog.

Food writer and self-confessed chocoholic Kieran Murphy of IcecreamIreland scooped two prizes in the Best Business Blog and Best Specialist Blog categories, while the remaining winners had to settle for only one trophy and a bottle of bubbly each.

Film student Allyn Quigley won Best Videocast for his movies on allynquigley.com. "I only found out I was nominated for this when me Dad googled my name," he told attendees. For still photography, Gavin Maguire's Headphoneland won Best Photo Blog, and Maguire's acceptance speech was read out by text message.

The Bloscar for Best Podcaster went to Conn O Muineachain of Edgecast Media, and the Best Podcast Award went to An Lionra Soisialta, which received a grant from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and has been syndicated on Irish radio stations.

Niall Byrne's blog Nialler9 won the prize for Best Music Blog and Sinead Gleeson's blog picked up the Best Arts and Culture Blog for the second year running even though she said she had considered packing it in earlier this year.

Best Blog Post went to grinning Bandon blow-in Conor O'Neill and Best Personal Blog was won by the flame haired Shauneen Armstrong aka RedMum.

Best Use of the Irish Language in a Blog went to HilaryNY and Best Group Blog went to In Fact, Ah.

Last, but by no means least judging by the terrace-end cheers, the prize for Best Sports Blog went to Tom's Sporting Almanac.

Proceeds of the awards ceremony went to the Brainwave epilepsy charity, and EUR1,500 was raised on the night.