• Michael D. Higgins has published a significant body of literary works including five poetry collections and several collections of essays and speeches on arts and politics

• Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Michael D. Higgins at the annual An Post Irish Book Awards ceremony in Dublin on 27^th November

• Michael D. Higgins joins a host of distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Martin Waddell, Professor Roy Foster, Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Maeve Binchy, Colm Tóibín, Eavan Boland, Edna O’Brien and Seamus Heaney

The An Post Irish Book Awards is delighted to announce that former President, Michael D. Higgins, is the recipient of this year’s ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’. The award will be presented on the 27^th November at the 2025 Awards Ceremony in The Convention Centre, Dublin.

As the 2025 Lifetime Achievement honouree, Michael D. Higgins will join a host of other distinguished recipients including Sebastian Barry, Colm Tóibín, Thomas Kinsella, Eavan Boland, John Montague JP Donleavy, Paul Durcan, John Banville, Maeve Binchy, John McGahern, Edna O’Brien, William Trevor, Seamus Heaney, Anne Enright and Professor Roy Foster. All previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award can be found at https://www.irishbookawards.ie/history/hall-of-fame/

Michael D. Higgins has had a profound impact on Irish art and culture, both as a public figure and as an artist in his own right. Throughout his distinguished career, his influence has spanned the full cultural spectrum – from literature and visual arts to film, music, and public cultural policy.

An accomplished writer, Michael D. Higgins has published five poetry collections, including Against All Certainty (2025), which was published in September in conjunction with his spoken word album of the same name in collaboration with musician Myles O’Reilly, New and Selected Poems (2011), An Arid Season (2004), The Season of Fire (1993) and The Betrayal (1990), along with several acclaimed volumes of essays such as Causes for Concern – Irish Politics, Culture and Society (2006), Renewing the Republic (2011), When Ideas Matter: Speeches for an Ethical Republic (2016) and Reclaiming the European Street (2021).

These works reflect his lifelong commitment to creativity, social justice, and human rights. From 1983 to 1993, Higgins also contributed a fortnightly column to Hot Press, Ireland’s leading music and politics magazine, where he wrote passionately on issues including apartheid, U.S. foreign policy, and Irish social reform. A book bringing together a collection of these columns, Power to the People: The Hot Press Years (2024), was published last year.

Higgins has also published three collections of speeches from the period covered by the Decade of Commemorations – 1916 Centenary Commemorations and Celebrations: Speeches by President Michael D. Higgins (2018) and Machnamh 100: Centenary Reflections volume 1 (2021) and volume 2 (2023).

A visionary policymaker, Higgins has reshaped Ireland’s cultural landscape through landmark achievements including the reestablishment of the Irish Film Board, the founding of Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4), the establishment of a rich network of local arts and cultural venues which brought a crucial access to citizens across Ireland and his leadership in promoting support for cultural institutions and artists across Europe. Having presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Seamus Heaney in 2011, Michael D. Higgins will now be honoured in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish cultural life.

In conferring the award, the Board of the Irish Book Awards stated:

“Both politically and personally, Michael D. Higgins has exerted a profound and lasting influence on Irish art and culture. His stalwart championing of Irish writers has been a particular source of inspiration to many who have participated in the An Post Irish Book Awards over the years and Irish creatives in general have felt a real sense of comfort in having a poet in The Áras.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Higgins has combined his creative vision with courageous public engagement. From his columns in Hot Press addressing pressing social and political issues, to his landmark cultural policies, he has consistently championed the arts and strengthened Ireland’s cultural institutions. His commitment to human rights, social justice, and the nurturing of Irish creativity has left an indelible mark on our nation.

Having presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Seamus Heaney in 2011, it is a particularly fitting moment that we now confer this honour upon Higgins himself. The Board of the An Post Irish Book Awards is proud to recognise his outstanding contribution to Irish cultural life, and we look forward to celebrating his achievements at the 2025 Awards ceremony at the Convention Centre Dublin on 27 November.”

Larry Mac Hale, Chairperson of the An Post Irish Book Awards, says:

“Michael D. Higgins has consistently demonstrated the power of culture to connect, challenge, and inspire society. Through his engagement with the arts and his unwavering support for creative voices across Ireland, he has nurtured an environment where ideas, imagination, and expression can thrive. His leadership has ensured that the arts remain a central part of national life, valued not only for their beauty but for their capacity to shape how we see the world.

The An Post Irish Book Awards is proud to honour Michael D. Higgins with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising a lifetime devoted to fostering creativity, cultural dialogue, and artistic excellence. This award celebrates a figure whose vision, commitment, and advocacy have left an enduring imprint on Irish cultural life, and whose influence will continue to inspire generations of writers, artists, and audiences alike.”

Celebrating its 20^th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards continue to champion and promote Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year, the An Post Irish Book Awards bring together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of new and established Irish writing talent. The winners will be announced on 27^th November 2025.

Other categories include:

• Eason Novel of the Year
• TheJournal.ie Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
• Dubray Biography of the Year
• Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year
• Irish Book Week Non-Fiction Book of the Year
• Eason Novel of the Year
• Bookstation Lifestyle Book of the Year
• Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year
• Eason Sports Book of the Year
• Gradam Love Leabhar Gaeilge Leabhar Ficsin Gaeilge na Bliana
• Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Junior
• Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior
• International Education Services Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year, in honour of John Treacy
• The Book Centre Crime Fiction Book of the Year in association with the Irish Independent
• Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year
• WHSmith Popular Fiction Book of the Year in association with Ireland AM
• The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award
• New Irish Writing Best Short Story in association with the Irish Independent
• New Irish Writing Best Poetry in association with the Irish Independent
• An Post Bookshop of the Year

A one-hour television special, hosted by Oliver Callan, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on 11^th December, giving viewers an exclusive insight into the six books and the authors competing for the accolade of ‘An Post Irish Book Awards Book of the Year 2025’, culminating in the reveal of this year’s overall winner.

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• Almost half (49%) of those under the age of 35 look up influencers’ posts before making personal shopping decisions 

• Nearly one in five people (19%) say they trust online advertising more than TV, radio, print or outdoor advertising – this is a significant increase compared to 2022 – when fewer than one in ten (9%) felt the same

• When promoted, social media users are most familiar with the advertising label #ad (63%) – an increase from 46% in 2022

• Over half (54%) of Irish consumers say influencers who misrepresent real life are their biggest annoyance

More than half of Irish consumers (58%) check influencers’ posts before making personal shopping decisions – and of these, almost one in three (29%) do so at least once a week, according to new research from the Advertising Standards Authority, the independent advertising self-regulatory body responsible for promoting, regulating and enforcing the highest standards of marketing communications in Ireland.

Research by the Advertising Standards Authority also found that nearly one in five people (19%) now trust online advertising more than TV, radio, print, or outdoor advertising. This marks a significant increase since 2022, when fewer than one in ten (9%) said they placed greater trust in online advertising. Nearly one in four (23%) also say they trust influencers’ posts more than advertisements from the brand themselves.

When prompted, more than six in ten social media users (63%) say they are familiar with the label #ad – a significant increase from 2022, when just under half (46%) recognised it. Women and those under 45 remain more likely to recognise hashtags used to signal advertising content.

In 2022, nearly seven in ten people (67%) said they were most bothered by influencers editing their photos; however, this figure has since dropped to just under four in ten (39%). Today, Irish consumers are most irritated by influencers who misrepresent real life, with more than half (54%) saying that inauthentic content is their biggest annoyance.

Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, says: “Our latest research highlights just how influential online content creators have become in shaping consumer behaviour. More than half of Irish consumers now check influencers’ posts before making personal shopping decisions, and younger audiences, particularly those under 35, are particularly engaged. At the same time, trust in online advertising is growing rapidly, and awareness of advertising labels like #ad is improving, reflecting a more informed and aware audience.

While this presents exciting opportunities for brands and creators, it also underscores the importance of authenticity and transparency across the industry. Over half of consumers say that influencers who misrepresent real life are their biggest annoyance. At the Advertising Standards Authority, we are committed to promoting honest and trustworthy advertising and we will continue to support consumers, influencers and brands to navigate this evolving digital landscape with confidence and trust.”

This research was revealed at a webinar hosted by the Advertising Standards Authority called ‘The Business of Influencing’ which explored the professional and regulatory aspects of content creation, including tax reporting requirements for influencers – particularly around gifts and non-monetary compensation – as well as strategies for building a personal brand and effectively collaborating with companies and brands.

Joining Orla Twomey, ASA, for a panel discussion, hosted by Breda Brown, Co-Founder and Communications Director at Unique Media, were Justin Walsh, Principal Officer, Revenue Commissioners, and Sarah Jane Staunton, Campaign and Social Media Manager, The Collaborations Agency.

• Justin outlined the tax reporting requirements for Irish influencers and content creators, highlighting what they need to know to stay compliant. He explained that non-monetary benefits, such as free holiday stays, make-up products received in exchange for tagging brands, free branded clothing, and the use of cars provided for promotional purposes, are all considered taxable income.
• Sarah Jane discussed how influencers and content creators can break into an increasingly competitive industry and why building a trustworthy personal brand is essential. She highlighted the growing importance of authenticity, the shift in brand values in recent years, and the fact that engagement rate and reach now matter more than follower count did in the past.

To recording of the webinar can be viewed here https://adstandards.ie/the-business-of-influencing/

This new research follows a series of strategic partnerships with key state agencies and other regulators, aimed at further strengthening the Advertising Standards Authority’s role as a leading voice of authority, trust, and influence within the advertising industry.

Visit adstandards.ie to learn more

To keep up to date on Advertising Standards Authority activity, follow the organisation on:

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Instagram        @adstandardsireland

LinkedIn          @Ad-Standards-Ireland

• ISSAV’s annual turnover projected to significantly increase from €10m to €40-50m over five years, with client service offering and geographical reach to expand
• 60 new roles to be created at ISSAV, tripling employee numbers from 30 to 90

Image Supply Systems A. V. Limited (ISSAV), a leading Dublin-based provider of professional audio visual solutions and services, has been acquired by the Econocom Group, a European leader in digital transformation with operations in 16 countries and 8,450 employees.

ISSAV, established 30 years ago, specialises in the installation and maintenance of audio visual, video conferencing and digital equipment for clients across the commercial, government, healthcare and education sectors. Headquartered in Dundrum, the company has built long-standing relationships with leading Irish and international organisations including Avolon, KPMG, Glanbia, Three, AerCap, Enterprise Ireland, Vodafone, RCSI, and Uniphar.

The Econocom Group, founded 50 years ago, has been a pioneer in supporting businesses with their digital transformation. Econocom supplies, finances and provides managed services for workplace, audiovisual and infrastructures. This includes equipment purchasing, configuration and customization, maintenance and repair, refurbishment, and end-user support. Econocom achieved €2.744 billion in revenue in 2024. The Group is listed on Euronext Brussels and is part of the Tech Leaders, Bel Small, and Family Business indices.

With Econocom as a majority shareholder, ISSAV’s annual turnover is projected to significantly increase over the next five years, from €10 million to €40-50 million, with client service offering and geographical reach expanding, and employee numbers tripling from 30 to 90. The partnership will also facilitate collaboration with other members of the Econocom Group on larger, more diverse and multi-country opportunities. ISSAV will continue to be led by an extremely experienced local management team.

By combining local expertise with the scale and resources of a European technology leader, ISSAV’s portfolio will incorporate services across Econocom’s four key pillars:

• Workplace: Providing end-to-end solutions for employee productivity, including device management and workplace transformation.

• Infrastructure: Delivering robust, scalable IT infrastructure to support organisations in their digital transformation journeys.
• Audio Visual: Designing and implementing state-of-the-art AV solutions for diverse business needs, from corporate environments to creative industries.
• Finance: Offering customised finance solutions, including Device as a Service (DaaS) and tailored financial models, to optimise IT investments.

Brendan Nourse, Managing Director of ISSAV, said: “Joining Econocom marks an exciting new chapter for Image Supply Systems Ireland A. V. Limited. This partnership allows us to expand our capabilities throughout Ireland and into Europe while continuing to deliver the same high-quality AV solutions our clients know us for. It also opens the door to new opportunities across Europe, giving us access to greater resources, a wider client base, and the support of a global digital transformation leader. We’re particularly excited to be growing our team – tripling our workforce over the next five years – to meet increased demand and deliver more for our clients in Ireland and across Europe.”

The acquisition of ISSAV was part of Econocom’s €225 million Schuldschein-backed investment programme, which aims to consolidate fragmented national AV markets, broaden sector reach, and accelerate the One Econocom transformation plan.

Israel Garcia, Managing Director of Business Development & Strategic Plan and Country Manager UK & Ireland at Econocom, said: “The addition of ISSAV to the Econocom Group is an important strategic step to strengthen our position as Europe’s audiovisual leader. Ireland is an innovative and fast-growing market, and ISSAV’s expertise perfectly complements our capabilities to offer a local service backed by the scale and resources of a European leader. Together, we will accelerate the delivery of next-generation AV solutions that enhance collaboration, creativity, and connection for our clients within Ireland.”

Following Econocom’s recent Global Audiovisual conference in Marbella – which marked a major step in strengthening the Group’s AV leadership across Europe – ISSAV now looks forward to hosting its own milestone event at Trinity College Dublin on 21^st October, marking the beginning of a new chapter for audio visual innovation in Ireland under the banner of ‘One Future’.

www.imagesupplysystemsav.com

LinkedIn: @ImageSupplySystems

www.econocom.com

LinkedIn: @Econocom

• Business set to transform how hospital consultants, doctors and practice owners access and manage flexible financial solutions tailored to their specific needs

• Global Health Capital is underpinned by funding partner Santiago Capital, with advanced plans in place to roll out the service across Europe

Global Health Capital (GHC), a new Irish fintech innovator, has announced the official launch of its AI-powered funding platform designed exclusively for medical professionals across Europe.

By combining a unique blend of financial expertise, advanced technology innovation and deep healthcare industry knowledge, Global Health Capital is transforming how hospital consultants, doctors and practice owners access and manage flexible financial solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Unlike traditional financial institutions who apply generic lending criteria, GHC uses a proprietary AI-driven funding platform that evaluates medical credentials, specialty and experience. This approach delivers fast, flexible funding solutions that align with how medical professionals actually work – accommodating the long payment cycles that often exist in the healthcare sector.

Whether supporting a hospital consultant managing insurance payment delays, helping a GP modernise their practice, or financing a network of practices, GHC’s innovative financial products align with healthcare cash flow patterns and eliminate excessive administrative burden, allowing these professionals to focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional patient care.

Founded by seasoned MedTech professional David Crimmins and Graham Byrne, who has significant expertise in capital deployment, Global Health Capital is headquartered in Dublin and serves medical professionals in Ireland, with advanced plans to roll out the service across Europe.

The business is underpinned by funding partner Santiago Capital, who are providing a substantial funding line for the first phase of deployment.

David Crimmins, Co-Founder of Global Health Capital, says: “Global Health Capital was born from a clear recognition of a crucial gap in the financial market—a lack of specialist providers delivering tailored financial solutions to the medical sector.

Medical professionals often face delayed insurance payments and cash-flow pressures that traditional banks don’t understand. Our AI-powered platform recognises those unique challenges and delivers funding that fits their professional realities. By aligning our solutions with real healthcare cash-flow patterns, we remove the stress of funding gaps and administrative burdens. As a result, we offer healthcare professionals the financial flexibility they need to focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional patient care.”

Graham Byrne, Co-Founder of Global Health Capital, says: “Medical professionals are being totally underserved by traditional financial institutions who fail to understand their unique needs and challenges. David and I have combined our unique, complementary skill sets to address this gap and create a financial institution dedicated exclusively to medical professionals.

My experience lies in specialist lending and financial innovation, including building significant financial institutions from the ground up and developing them into respected market leaders, while David’s deep healthcare sector knowledge and senior operational expertise across multiple medical organisations means he totally understands the day-to-day realities and financial challenges that healthcare professionals face. Together, we are transforming how medical professionals access and manage the financial resources they need to grow and thrive.”

Co-created with medical professionals, Global Health Capital’s product suite* is designed to meet their real-world needs:

• MediFlow – A 90-day pre-approved revolving line of funding that bridges the gap between invoicing and reimbursement, with funds typically released within 24 hours. Customers only pay for what they use and can roll balances forward for continued flexibility.
• MediFlex – A flexible credit line secured on a clinic’s credit card terminal receipts, ideal for unexpected cash-flow issues or seasonal fluctuations. Repayments are automatically taken from future credit card receipts, eliminating administrative overhead.
• MediFix – A multi-year term loan facility with predictable monthly repayments to facilitate higher amounts for practice expansion, acquisitions, or investment in new medical technologies.

Irish customers must be registered with the Irish Medical Council, based in Ireland and operate as a sole trader, partnership, or incorporated medical practice.

Global Health Capital – the trusted financial partner for medical professionals at every stage of their career

www.GlobalHealthCapital.com

An Post has renewed its headline sponsorship agreement of the annual Irish Book Awards, one of Ireland’s most distinguished and popular literary events. First partnering with the initiative in 2018, this new agreement extends the sponsorship through to 2027, marking a decade of support from An Post for Irish literature and the prestigious awards.

Now celebrating its 20^th year, the An Post Irish Book Awards promotes Irish writing to the widest range of readers possible. Each year it brings together a vast community passionate about books – readers, authors, booksellers, publishers and librarians – to recognise the very best of Irish writing talent.

The awards feature a diverse mix of exceptional writing from new and established writers across 18 categories, including Novel of the Year, Children, History, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Non-fiction, Sports, Lifestyle, Short Story, Irish language, Poem, Newcomer, Teen and Young Adult, Irish Published and Biography.

Hundreds of books are submitted for consideration annually and, over the past 20 years, an array of new and established domestic and international authors have graced the Irish Book Awards stage including Catherine Ryan Howard, Paul Murray, Marian Keyes, Donal Ryan, Cecelia Ahern, Louise O’Neill, Graham Norton, Judi Curtin, Oliver Jeffers, Jane Casey, Joseph O’Connor, Sally Rooney, Roddy Doyle, Liz Nugent, Tana French, Sinead Gleeson, and Paul Howard.

In addition to category winners, a very special award is also announced at the event. The Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the contribution of distinguished Irish writers and poets, and winners have included Martin Waddell, Anne Enright, Sebastian Barry, Colm Toibín, Thomas Kinsella, Eavan Boland, John Montague, JP Donleavy, Paul Durcan, John Banville, Maeve Binchy, John McGahern, Edna O’Brien, William Trevor and Séamus Heaney.

David McRedmond, CEO at An Post, says: “We are proud to renew An Post’s sponsorship of the Irish Book Awards, marking a decade of support for Ireland’s world-leading literary community. The elevation of excellence, and acting for the common good are core to An Post’s mission, and there is no more fitting alignment than with Ireland’s great authors, publishers, and booksellers.”

Larry McHale, Chair of the Irish Book Awards Board says:

“We are delighted that An Post will continue its sponsorship of the Irish Book Awards through to December 2027. Since joining us, An Post has been an invaluable partner in our shared mission to promote reading and celebrate the exceptional talent of Ireland’s writers and illustrators, both new and established. The Irish Book Awards has become a cornerstone of the literary calendar, bringing together the entire Irish book community each year. This renewed commitment marks a decade of support, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership as the Awards go from strength to strength.”

The full shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025 will be announced on 22^nd October, while the winners will be presented with their trophies at the An Post Irish Book Awards event in the Convention Centre Dublin, on the 27^th November.^. A television programme will be broadcast on RTÉ One television in December, culminating in one of the 2025 winning titles being announced as the ‘An Post Irish Book of the Year 2025’.

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