Leinster Express reporter honoured with national media award

A Leinster Express reporter has won a national media award, in recogition of her contribution to water safety awareness.

Lynda Kiernan, news reporter with the Leinster Express / Laois Live was honoured with the Regional Press Award by at the National Awards Ceremony 2025 of Water Safety Ireland.

Ms Kiernan from The Rock, Mountmellick was given the award for her article This One Tip for Laois Swimmers and Dippers could Save a Life. It included an interview with two volunteers in Water Safety Ireland Laois, Peter Quinn and Stephen O'Toole at the Laois Live Well Expo 2025.

The award was presented to her by Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO, Water Safety Ireland and Jerry Buttimer Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in a ceremony in O'Reilly Hall at UCD on Tuesday, October 21.

MC and RTÉ star Síle Seoige read out the award citation.

"Water Safety Ireland is please to recognise Lynda Kiernan of the Leinster Express for her outstanding local reporting on water safety. Her article highlighting a simple yet powerful tip for swimmers and dippers in Laois - to always know your location and never go alone - brought critical safety guidance directly to community readers. Through clear, grounded writing and a focus on real-life local contects, Lynda's work helps change attitudes and protects lives right where it matters most".

Ms Kiernan is a regular dipper in Derryounce Lakes, Portarlington.

"This was a lovely surprise, I was humbled to see such inspiring people at the awards who risked their lives to save others. A big thanks to Water Safety Laois for imparting their advice to me at their information stand at the Laois Live Well Expo. I find swimming outdoors is wonderful for my mental health, but I always wear a float and go with a friend," she said.

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The other Laois recipients were; Padraic Dolan, Laois Marlins who won the Des Kenny award, and his swim group who won the Rescue Appreciation Award. Gda Sergeant Paul O'Shea who won a WSI Lifesaving Bravery Award, and Sylvia Thompson, Irish Times who won the National Press Award. 

Awards were presented to a total of 73 individuals who between them had saved over 50 people from drowning in the past year.

Full reports and photographs in next Tuesday's Leinster Express newspaper.