Ireland and the UK’s longest serving daily newspaper editor is preparing to stand down in early 2024 after completing 25 years in his post.
Noel Doran has decided to step aside from his role with The Irish News, where he has overseen the production of more than 7,000 editions of the paper.
Having started his journalism career in 1978, Noel joined The Irish News in 1993 and was appointed editor in April, 1999, making him the longest serving daily editor in Ireland and the UK.
Noel, who is considered one of the country’s most experienced and respected journalists, will continue to have a close association with the paper.
During Noel’s editorship, The Irish News has won many UK and regional awards in recognition of its “consistent top-level content”. Noel was also voted regional editor of the century in 2020 by readers of the Hold the Front Page website, and has been credited with winning a wider, cross-community readership for the paper.
In his time, The Irish News has regularly topped the ABC sales charts for UK regional dailies, and is now the UK’s second best-selling regional daily newspaper.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Noel has played a pivotal role in shaping the newspaper’s editorial direction. His insightful editorial decisions have helped shape public discourse on significant events and issues. Noel became editor shortly after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, and as a result, the ups and downs of Stormont and devolution have been an overarching theme for him.
Speaking on the announcement, Dominic Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, IntoMedia Group said:
“The Irish News expresses deep gratitude to Noel for his exceptional dedication and service to our organisation. His remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the paper’s legacy. It has been a privilege to work alongside him and I am certain he will look back on his extensive track record here with a sense of enormous pride.”
Noel Doran, who will continue as editor until a new appointment is made, said:
“It has been a great honour to edit The Irish News for the last quarter of a century and help to chronicle the changes which have swept across our society since the Good Friday Agreement. I have been very fortunate to work with many outstanding journalists who have rightly earned the trust of our loyal readers, and I am particularly grateful for the unstinting support of our CEO Dominic Fitzpatrick, and his late father, our chairman Jim Fitzpatrick, throughout my time with the paper.”
The search for the new editor of the Irish News will now get underway.
Noel Doran has steered the organisation through a significant transformation over the past 24 months and his successor will continue to guide its progress.
In an increasingly polarised society, The Irish News is united in its mission to use its independent voice to play a constructive role in society. The Irish News, part of the IntoMedia Group, employs more than 130 people, with teams of journalists, technologists, product managers, commercial strategists and marketing specialists.
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