It’s one of the most anticipated nights of the student calendar. It’s a chance for those media students who have been working hard all year across various different platforms to receive some recognition for their work.
And, perhaps most important of all, it’s an excellent excuse for a piss up.
The Smedias is an awards ceremony filled with talent, excitement and celebrity presenters and judges – it’s a very glam affair altogether.
This year’s ceremony was one of the best yet. We returned to the Aviva for a second year, where the night was kicked off with a few pre-drinks in the stadium. Guests were serenaded by the fantastic Halleleiua Gospel Choir, as they mingled amongst ambitious students and prominent media figures alike.
Among those that attended were Dave Fanning, Marty Morrissey , Mark Hennessy, Eddie Doyle and weather presenter and viral sensation Teresa Mannion.
Lorraine Keane and Miss Universe Ireland Joanne Cooper were also familiar faces at the event.
After a few bevvies at the reception, the guests enjoyed an excellent show, presented by one of RTE’s most popular DJs and presenters, Eoghan McDermott.
The venue was sold out, with over 400 people in attendance. It was a craic-filled night, with the merriness assisted by our good pals over at Bulmers and Zaconey – who provided some free tipples on the night.
UCC were the overall winners of the night, scooping up an incredible eight awards, including Magazine of the Year and the European Commission Award. UCD’s ‘The University Observer’ (run by Grainne Loughran and Patrick Kelleher) took home the much coveted Newspaper of the Year Award.
The team of DIT’s GRIT Magazine also had reason to celebrate on the night, winning the Layout and Design category – as did NUIG, whose students bagged the Iriseoireacht Trí Ghaeilge (Raidío) award.
This year’s Smedias had the highest amount of submissions since its establishment in 2000. Judges remarked that some of the work entered looked as though it had been compiled by professionals with many years’ experience under their belt.
After the ceremony, it was time for the session to really begin.
Not only did the Smedias 2016 have the largest amount of entries, it also had one of the largest numbers to attend the notorious Smedias After-Party.
Three bus-loads of people arrived at Sam’s Bar to party the night away in the VIP section. The drinking continued into the wee hours of the morning…and it’s safe to say it’ll be a night that many will remember for years to come.
Or perhaps not…depending on how much Jager you drank.
We’d like to offer a massive congratulations once again to all of the winners and nominees, and a huge thanks to the judges and presenters, and of course our fantastic sponsor KBC Bank Ireland – without whom the event would not be possible.
BRING ON SMEDIAS 2017.
