Celt reaches out to Monaghan readers

Plans by The Anglo-Celt newspaper to expand its coverage and circulation to better include County Monaghan following the regrettable closure of the Northern Standard were warmly welcomed by members and the executive of Monaghan County Council.

The proposal was outlined by the Celt's Managing Editor Linda O’Reilly, who addressed councillors and officials on how the paper intends to respond to the loss of Monaghan’s long-established local newspaper.

Ms O’Reilly explained at the January meeting last Monday that she had edited the Celt for 18 years, and served as Managing Editor for the past two. She traced the paper’s origins back to its foundation in 1846, noting that while it had traditionally been viewed as a Cavan newspaper, it had always included coverage of Monaghan affairs.

Over the past two decades, however, the Celt reduced its Monaghan focus as the market was well served by the Northern Standard and Northern Sound Radio, reflecting a wider trend among regional newspapers to become more hyperlocal due to changes in the media landscape.

‘Journalists at heart’

She told councillors that staff the Celt were “journalists at heart” and believed it would be deeply regrettable if Monaghan became “the first county in Ireland not to have a dedicated news publisher".

She pointed to the many synergies between the two counties, including the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division, the constituency and the hospital grouping, as evidence that a combined newspaper of record made sense.

“What we hope to do is become the paper of record for both Cavan and Monaghan,” Ms O’Reilly said, adding that she believes the Celt was “one of the best regional newspapers and publishers in the country” and well placed to serve the people of both counties.

The paper currently employs seven full-time editorial staff, supported by a network of freelancers and correspondents. Former Northern Standard journalist Veronica Corr has joined the Celt editorial team on a full-time basis, while three other former staff members have agreed to contribute on a freelance basis- helping to ensure continuity of local knowledge and reporting.

Ms O’Reilly clarified that the Celt is owned by Celtic Media, an Irish-owned group. The group is manager-owned and publishes six titles. She also noted that the acquisition of the Tuam Herald had recently been agreed and was awaiting Ministerial approval.

Importantly, Ms O’Reilly stressed that the Celt did not intend to launch a token Monaghan edition or allocate a fixed number of Monaghan pages. Instead, the aim was to produce a genuinely integrated Cavan–Monaghan newspaper. “If the best story of the week is a Monaghan story, that story is going to be on the front page,” she said.

The paper’s digital reach was also highlighted. Combining print and online platforms, the Celt has a weekly readership of upwards of 40,000, with over 140,000 average weekly website visits, more than half a million monthly page views, and almost 57,000 Facebook followers.

These channels, Ms O’Reilly said, could be used effectively to communicate Monaghan County Council’s work to the wider public.

Proven record

She also pointed to the Celt’s strong professional standing, noting that it had received the most nominations across all categories in the past two years at the Local Ireland regional media awards. “We have a proven track record and an award-winning team who believe in what they do,” she said.

Emphasising the role of the press in civic life, she added: “We believe in the importance of local democracy – sometimes politicians and journalists don’t get on, but we need each other to co-exist and each play an integral role in terms of local democracy. You will get a fair deal from us and balanced reporting across the board.”

Chief Executive Robert Burns, said he had invited Ms O’Reilly to speak so that councillors could hear directly about The Anglo-Celt’s intentions. He stressed the importance of independent newspaper reporting in the county, noting that the Standard had been valued not only for its local government coverage but also for its reporting on sport, culture and community life.

He said it was reassuring to hear the Celt’s commitment to continuing this breadth of coverage.

Mr Burns also addressed the practical issue of statutory notices, explaining that the council had been left without a publication home following the closure of the Standard. The Celt was now the only newspaper with credible circulation in Monaghan, and the council would have dedicated pages for statutory notices, alongside space for discretionary content.

Councillors from across the chamber voiced their support.

Pat Treanor (SF) welcomed the paper’s commitment to balanced reporting and believed it would successfully fill the gap left in the county’s media landscape. He expressed his hope that the Celt would open a Monaghan office in the near future.

Raymond Aughey (FF) said he was confident the Celt had carried out thorough due diligence, and agreed there was still “a place in every home for a newspaper”.

Sean Gilliland (FG) meanwhile praised Ms O’Reilly’s long-standing advocacy for the print journalism industry.

“We should send a strong message from here about the survival of print media,” he said. “The people who bought the Northern Standard should lend their support to The Anglo-Celt and have a newspaper in each household.”

Responding to Seamus Treanor (Ind), who spoke of the importance of the Celt having an office presence in Monaghan, Ms O’Reilly said while a suitable premises had not yet been identified, the search was ongoing, and shared office space was hoped for in the future.

She also confirmed that several local correspondents had come on board, with more to follow.

“We want to do this properly and, if anyone can do it, The Anglo-Celt can do it,” she said confidently.

Distribution of the Celt in Co Monaghan has already increased, and the paper is now available wherever national newspapers are sold each Wednesday, supported by a marketing campaign.

Cathaoirleach Councillor P.J. O’Hanlon concluded by expressing his hope that the people of Monaghan would support the Celt’s expansion plan, which he described as vital for both counties going forward.