Press Release | 21/11/14
All-Island Research Observatory see their efforts rewarded with an Eircom Spider
The Eircom Spider Awards, the longest standing and most prestigious digital awards in Ireland, took place last night at the Convention Centre Dublin. Hosted by Jennifer Maguire and Bernard O’Shea from 2FM’s Breakfast Republic, the Eircom Spiders reward Irish businesses and community organisations for digital excellence.
Esri Ireland sponsored the Digital Geography category for the 2nd year in a row and is delighted to announce that the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO), Maynooth University (MU) scooped the award for their new website.
The new AIRO site has been re-designed to provide users with easy access to a vast amount of spatial information through a series of mapping systems and data visualisation tools. Many of the national mapping tools that AIRO provide are based on Esri technology and has helped in establishing AIRO as a key part of the data infrastructure in Ireland. The team included Justin Gleeson, Eoghan McCarthy and Aoife Dowling, and both Justin and Eoghan were there to collect their Spider.
The "Digital Geography" category showcased the work of Esri Ireland customers and the work of the entire GI community to a whole new audience. Eamonn Doyle, Chief Technology Officer at Esri Ireland presided as judge on the Retail & Travel & Leisure categories.
Paul Synnott, Country Manager, Esri Ireland; “This is a great endorsement of the work of the GI community by the web industry in Ireland. On behalf of the team at Esri Ireland we would like to thank everyone for their effort in supporting this initiative; those who submitted nominations; the shortlist of eight and the overall winner AIRO. Esri Ireland is delighted to be involved.”
In total, 24 awards were presented on the night honouring online and digital achievement in categories such as social media, mobile apps, digital game, and innovative use of technology, financial services and education. Each of the categories in the 2014 Eircom Spider Awards is designed to acknowledge and promote business and community enterprise through technological advancements, innovation and e-commerce.
Mark Little scooped the Internet Hero award for his work with Storyful, the world’s first social news agency. Mark leads a team of journalists and technologists who discover and verify the most compelling content on platforms like YouTube and Twitter.