Over 50 weekly paid-for titles participated in Local Newspaper Week events through October 5^th – 9th. The celebration of local newspapers was co-ordinated by NNI Local & Regional Newspapers and the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI) with support from our media partner Newstalk.

The week commenced with a symposium at DCU in Dublin where delegates were addressed by key newspaper industry figures including Ashley Highfield, CEO Johnston Press; Joe Webb, Chief Executive (Island of Ireland), INM; Frank Mulrennan, CEO, Celtic Media Group; and Per Axel Kock, MD Polaris Media, Norway.

Each of the 50 local and regional titles involved carried a regional-specific 16 page supplement that included the results of an IPSOS/MRBI survey exploring readership trends and preferences.  Various community activities, school tours and special presentations took place throughout the week, whilst Newstalk broadcast from newspaper offices around the country.  On the 8^th of October, the RTE Nationwide programme was dedicated to Local Newspaper Week.

The week was a true celebration of Ireland’s great tradition of quality regional newspapers and we hope to build on its success in 2013.

For further information contact Enda Buckley: ebuckley@cullencommunications.ie or 01 668 9099