New Editor appointed

Linda O"Reilly has been appointed the new Editor of the Anglo-Celt following the retirement of Johnny O"Hanlon as Managing Editor at the end of December. Mr. O"Hanlon had served as Editor for some 20 years. Ms. O"Reilly has experience in both regional and national newspapers and radio stations. She has worked for other titles within the Celtic Media Group including the Westmeath Examiner and Westmeath Offaly Independent since 2000. The holder of an honours degree in journalism from Dublin City University, Ms. O"Reilly graduated in 2001 and has over ten years experience working in Irish media. On graduating from DCU, Ms. O"Reilly worked regularly for the Sunday Business Post and Independent Network News (INN) before relocating to Mullingar in 2003 to work as a senior journalist in the Westmeath Examiner. She also worked as a senior reporter and news reader for Northern Sound in 2005 and 2006, before taking maternity leave and returning to the Westmeath Examiner. Ms. O"Reilly joined The Anglo-Celt in February 2008 as News Editor before recently being promoted to Editor. Originally from Edgeworthstown in Co. Longford, Ms. O"Reilly has been living in Mullahoran for the past six years where she is married to Damien O"Reilly and together they have two children. Speaking on her appointment, Ms. O"Reilly said: 'I am delighted and excited to have taken over the role as Editor. I am looking forward to the challenge and hope to continue the strong ethos of the Anglo-Celt as being the leading paper in the region, first for news and sports with fair and balanced reporting of all the issues.' She continued: 'I am fortunate to have a very strong news and production team behind me including our Deputy Editor Tom Carron and Sports Editor Paul Fitzpatrick and together we will continue to produce a quality newspaper, as well as further developing our website for readers and advertisers alike. I wish Mr. O"Hanlon and his family the best in his new role as the Director of the Regional Newspapers of Ireland (RNAI).' Johnny O"Hanlon said: 'I am delighted that a journalist with the energy and vision of Linda O"Reilly is taking over at the helm of the Anglo Celt.' He said that he had thoroughly enjoyed working with Linda over the past year in her role as news editor, and that she was now ready to step up to the main role. 'I know that Linda will benefit enormously from the support of such excellent colleagues in the newsroom and they will benefit from somebody with new energy and ideas in the editor"s chair,' said Mr. O"Hanlon. Meanwhile, the advertising department in the Anglo-Celt is being headed up by Yvonne Jackson, who joined the company as advertising sales manager in November. Ms Jackson relocated to Cavan in 2004 and has over 20 years experience in both press and radio. 'I was on board with The Sunday Business Post when it was launched in 1989 in very tough times and to some extent that time could be compared to the present economic climate we are experiencing and will continue to experience in the coming year,' she remarked. In radio, Ms. Jackson worked with Century Radio and local radio in Kildare before joining FM104 as Agency Sales Manager. 'The lure of the column inch was always there and when I moved to Cavan I took up a position with a new local free newspaper. I now find myself with the market leader - The Anglo-Celt and feel privileged to be in a position to lead a strong sales team into 2009 with a product that has stood the test of time and has a reputation of producing quality editorial that is second to none,' she commented. 'We welcome the opportunity to assist our loyal advertisers and readers in whatever way we can to get through this difficult time,' added Ms. Jackson, who also paid tribute to Johnny O"Hanlon for his confidence and support since Ms. Jackson joined The Anglo-Celt. Meanwhile, Frank Mulrennan, the Director of Operations for the Celtic Media Group, will take on the role of Director of Operations (Publishing) for the Anglo-Celt. He will be joined on the new management team at Celtic Media Group by Frank Long, as Finance Director. Mr. Mulrennan said he looked forward enormously to working with Linda O"Reilly as the new Editor and Yvonne Jackson as Advertising Sales Manager at Anglo Celt. 'Linda has a tough act to follow taking over from Johnny O"Hanlon in the editor"s role and likewise Yvonne taking over from Barbara Fortune heading up the sales team,' he said. 'Fortunately, these are very capable executives who bring a lot of experience and vitality to the important new roles they have taken on. 'I look forward to working with them to ensure that the proud traditions of reader and customer service at the Anglo Celt are maintained and augmented,' said the Director of Operations.