Nominations soon open for “the biggest celebration of the web in Ireland”

One of Ireland’s largest digital awards programmes, The Irish Web Awards (@irishwebawards | Facebook), is aiming for a record breaking number of nominations this year, organisers said today.

The announcement was made ahead of the opening of the nominations on August 23.  This year there are 30 categories open for nomination, divided into four sections – News and Media, Government, Education and Community, Commerce and Mobile, and Design/Technical.

Responding to changes in the web the 2012 ceremony will feature two additional awards.  In the Commerce and Mobile section nominations can be placed for The Best Financial Services Website.  And in response to changes in the mobile landscape the Design/Technical section will features an award for the best responsive website design.

Announcing the launch of the awards programme the event’s chief organiser, Damien Mulley, said he hoped the 2012 awards would be the biggest celebration of web development so far; “For our 5th birthday we hope to see over 400 people attend the event and see another increase in the nominations. This is going to be the biggest celebration of the web in Ireland this year and we’d love to see all our past records broken.”

The Irish Web Awards, along with the Social Media Awards, which are also organised by Damien, have become one of the most popular events on the Irish digital events calendar.  The awards have attracted some of the Ireland’s largest digital companies as sponsors, including The National College of Ireland, Poll Daddy, Wolfgang Digital, DoneDeal, and IQ Content.

As with other years, Realex Payments are the headline sponsors.  The company’s Head of Corporate Marketing, Tracy Glynn, said:”As a company we’re passionate about the Internet and the Web Awards truly acknowledges the achievements and dedication of indigenous Irish Internet companies, all of whom are nominated and voted for by their peers. ”

The awards take place on November 1, a few weeks after the renewed Blog Awards Ireland which are being held on October 13.

Nominations for the Irish Web Awards are free and tickets for the ceremony are €30.

The 2012 Irish Web Awards categories are;

News and Media:

• Best Online Publication
• Best Web Only Publication
• Best Radio Website
• Best Independent Podcaster
• Entertainment and Arts:
• Best Sports Site
• Best Music Site
• Best Entertainment Website
• Best Arts Website
• Technology and Social:
• Best Technology Site
• Best New Web Application/Service

Government, Education and Community:

• Best Discussion forum
• Best Government and Council Website
• Best Education and Third Level Website
• Best Student Web Project
• An Suíomh Gaeilge is Fearr

Commerce and Mobile:

• Best Financial Services Website
• Best eCommerce / Services Website
• Best SME/Small Business Website
• Best Mobile Site

Design / Technical:

• Best Responsive Design
• Best Practice
• Most Beautiful Website
• Most Innovative Website
• Most Useful Website
• Best Microsite
• Web Agency of the Year (Open to sole traders too)
• Grand Prix:
• Best Website in Ireland