The power of three is strong this year at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Mulgrave Street Campus, with three learners nominated for the highly esteemed National Student Media Awards. These nominations recognise the creativity, technical expertise, and artistic vision of the talented photographers, further solidifying Mulgrave Street Campus’s commitment to fostering the next generation of visual storytellers.
Each year, the National Student Media Awards honour emerging photographers who demonstrate excellence in composition, storytelling, and innovation. This year, the three Mulgrave Street Campus learners have been shortlisted in the following categories: Sports Photographer of the Year, Photographer of the Year, and News Photographer of the Year. Their work—featuring compelling portraits, dynamic sports imagery, and impactful social commentary photography—has clearly captured the attention of the judges.
This year Richie Wells Photo a year two student has been nominated for News Photographer of the Year and Sports Photographer of the Year, Cian Kearse, a year one student has been nominated for News Photographer of the Year and second year student Jason O’Donnell has been nominated for Photographer of the Year. Each of the photographers submitted three photos for the competition.
Cian Kearse has been nominated for News Photographer of the Year.
Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training at Limerick and Clare ETB, expressed his pride in the students’ achievements: “These nominations really show the incredible talent at our College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus. Our learners are always pushing the boundaries of creativity and showing a real commitment to their craft. It’s fantastic to see their work getting the recognition it deserves at a national level, and we’re excited to watch their continued growth and success.”
The photography course which is part of the Arts and Media department at College of FET, Mulgrave Street, has built a strong record at the National Student Media Awards, with 15 student nominations and 13 winners over the years. This impressive track record underscores the department’s consistent excellence and the high calibre of its students, a record that Eoin McCarthy, Assistant Principal of the Arts and Media Department, holds in high regard: “We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and passion. These nominations are a testament to their hard work and artistic growth. We look forward to seeing how they continue to develop their skills through the lens-based medium.”
Richie Wells who is nominated for News Photographer of the Year and Sports Photographer of the Year.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced on April 9th, 2025, at The Mansion House in Dublin. Regardless of the outcome, being nominated for such a prestigious award is a significant achievement and showcases the immense talent and potential of these students.
For more information about the nominated students and to explore their work, follow them on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/mulgravestreetcampus
For more details on the photography programme and a range of other fully-funded programmes available at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training, visit www.collegeoffet.ie.
Share this on...