The Times, Ireland Edition has unveiled a fresh new design underlining the title’s core objective of providing readers with quality Irish journalism, debate and analysis. As well as a new layout throughout the newspaper, it will be strengthened by a range of senior appointments and additional Irish content in each issue including opinion, analysis, cartoons, and obituaries.

The comment section has doubled and readers can expect new weekly columns from unique Irish voices including former RTE political correspondent David Davin-Power; former TD Lucinda Creighton and Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman. They will join existing columnists such as Sarah Carey, Ann Marie Hourihane and Jason O’Mahony.

Weekly columnist Lise Hand joins the award-winning political team of the newspaper. She will work alongside existing team members who include Niamh Lyons, Ellen Coyne and Jennifer Bray.

The business news team, headed up by John Walsh with support from Peter O’Dwyer, has also been expanded with Paul O’Donoghue, formerly of www.fora.ie coming on board.

Ben Haugh, formerly of the Irish Daily Mail, joins as news editor while Jon R Smith, formerly of the Irish Times, is joining as comment editor.

Katie O’Neill, also formerly of the Irish Daily Mail, joins news reporters Aaron Rogan and Michael Cogley, ensuring readers are always well-informed about national stories. Insight and analysis into the global news agenda will continue to be provided by our team of more than 200 journalists in London and 36 correspondents across six continents.

Rugby will remain a focal point with columnists Donncha O’Callaghan and Eddie O’Sullivan providing analysis to complement the coverage in sister paper, The Sunday Times, by counterparts Shane Horgan, Peter O’Reilly and Denis Walsh.

The title will continue to offer balanced Brexit analysis, providing a clear Irish perspective, complemented by the latest and best opinion from London.

Focus group research, which took place in October 2017, reported that The Times, Ireland Edition has been well received with readers and is felt to be good value for money, particularly in terms of its business coverage, which has a more international flavour than other products in market. Readers also enjoyed the tabloid format and reported that the photography and design of the paper felt fresh.

A cohesive nationwide marketing strategy is underway to drive awareness of the updated product and this  includes Out-Of-Home advertisements, a radio campaign, sampling activity, retail partnerships, and social media and digital activity.