Journalist Joe Drennan's legacy honoured with memorial prize 

University of Limerick has established a journalism award, in association with The Irish Times, in memory of Joe Drennan; the Laois UL journalism student killed tragically in 2023.

Entries are now open for Unheard Voices: The Joe Drennan Memorial Prize for Inclusive Journalism, which will celebrate journalism that advances social justice and enhances understanding of marginalised communities and values.

Open to students in third-level institutions studying for all courses - not just journalism degrees - throughout the island of Ireland, the Drennan Prize will honour Joe’s legacy and encourage emerging journalists to amplify underrepresented voices.

A native of Knocknagad, Camross, Joe was a final year journalism student in UL when he was killed just two weeks after his 21st birthday. He was standing at a bus stop on his way home from working in a restaurant in Limerick when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

READ ALSO: Man who killed Laois student Joe Drennan gets longer sentence

“Joe’s passion was to build a journalism career grounded in inclusivity and social justice,” said Associate Professor in Journalism and Digital Communication at University of Limerick, Dr Kathryn Hayes.

“We are proud that this prize established by the journalism department in UL honours Joe’s legacy, particularly his dedication to journalism that speaks for often-unheard voices. Opening it up to students across Ireland ensures that Joe’s values will inspire a new generation of journalists nationally.”

Editor of The Irish Times, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, said: “The Joe Drennan prize is a fitting way to memorialise a promising young journalist who was just starting out in our trade. It will create an invaluable opportunity for an emerging reporter to do work of real depth on a subject that matters."

Entrants are required to submit a 1,500-word article, along with images and video. Submissions will be judged on impact, originality, depth of investigation, quality of research and reporting, and standard of writing.

The winning entry will be published in the Irish Times.

Entries can be submitted to Kathryn.hayes@ul.ie . The closing date is May 31, 2026.