Prestigious accolade for Westport photographer Frank
Frank Dolan is pictured at the awards ceremony with his family, from left: Grainne Weir, Peter, Mary and Maura Dolan. Picture: Brian Harding
Well-known Westport photographer Frank Dolan was one of eight members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) who were honoured for their lifelong membership of the union at a ceremony recently.
Hosted by the NUJ West of Ireland branch, members from Galway and Mayo came together at the PorterShed in Galway City to honour colleagues who have remained committed to the union for 40 years or more.
In a congratulatory message to recipients, President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to their dedication to local journalism “as guardians of our democracy at its grassroots”.
Frank Dolan has been a member of the NUJ since 1976 and his photographers have graced the pages of local and national newspapers on many occasions.
Other recipients included current and former staff members at the Connacht Tribune in Galway – journalists Bernie Ní Fhlatharta, Francis Farragher, John McIntyre, and photographer Joe O’Shaughnessy.
Tom Gilmore, known for his work in the Tuam Herald and on Galway Bay FM; Tuam Herald photographer Ray Ryan; and Máirtín Davy Ó Coisdealbha, formerly of Raidió na Gaeltachta, were also presented with Life Membership certificates.
President Michael D. Higgins extended his heartfelt congratulations to the recipients.
In a message read out on his behalf at the ceremony, he described Life Membership of the NUJ as an “acclaimed accolade” recognising members’ dedicated service and commitment to local journalism.
“Your decades of hard work and commitment in Galway, Mayo and beyond have played a vital role in shaping the provincial journalism scene,” he continued.
