98FM’s Best of Dublin Awards - in association with The Dubliner Irish Whiskey - are back and bigger than ever! The 2016 exclusive award ceremony, which celebrates everything that is best about our city, takes place next Wednesday, May 25th, at Powerscourt Townhouse.
After a whopping 525,000 votes, the winners will be announced at the event and will be published in The Herald Newspaper on Thursday, May 26th.
Check out some of this year’s nominees.
Best Dub
Barry Fennell: Barry runs the Hill 16 Army Dublin GAA fan page on Facebook and fundraises for numerous charities. He started going to Dublin matches when he was 9, he's 34 now and has missed 5 games in total.
Barry struck up a friendship with Molly McNally, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5. Molly is now 7 and has gone to the Dublin matches with Barry since then.
Dylan Lynch: Dylan has worked with The Order of Malta since he was 9 years old & has helped saved several lives.
Maureen Grant: Maureen, who is 90 years old, has worked in The Olympia Theatre for 65 years and is a well known part of the establishment.
Philip Sutcliffe: Philip has tirelessly worked and supported the Crumlin Boxing Club for the past 23 years and strives to give the community a boost. Philip's main role at the club is to coach members. Speaking to 98FM, he said there is a lot of poverty in the area and this club helps to keep the kids busy and out of trouble.
Monica Dunne: Monica, who's from Kilmacud, has worked with Enable Ireland since 1990 & has dedicated many years to helping others. Monica says she love working with people and "trying to make a difference by supporting and helping them to achieve their goals".
Best Taxi Driver
Paul Cullen: Paul won 'Best Taxi Driver' at our 2015 Best of Dublin Awards. He is known to always put his customers first.
John Clarke: John is a known gentleman and always caters to all of his passengers.
Paddy Kelly: Paddy is known to be extremely caring to his passengers, especially to elderly people.
Paul Kenny: Paul is a devoted father who leaves his house at 4am everyday and comes home late at night in order to provide for his family.
Niamh Friel: Niamh is known by her passengers to be full of chat and extremely friendly.
Best Online Personality
James Patrice: James has a blog called 'Jus De James' & has a huge following on Snapchat. Known for his catch phrase "Fidelma!"
James Kavanagh: James is a Snapchat superstar who is known for giving out gorge points and scaring his boyfriend William.
Suzanne Jackson: Known by most as 'So Sue Me', Suzanne was one of Irelands first bloggers who has gone on to launch her own products.
Claire Cullen: Claire is an Irish YouTuber, who is known for her brilliant sense of humour.
Pippa O'Connor: Pippa is one of Ireland's leading models and fashion, beauty & style bloggers.
Best Creative Dub
Giovanna Borza: Giovanna is an award winning Irish fashion designer & is growing from strength to strength.
In 2013, the 30-year-old graduated with BA Hons in Fashion Design from Griffith College. Giovanna got a taste for the industry while still in college, winning the Louis Copeland Tailoring Award in 2012 and winning an internship with Irish designer Joanne Hynes for her degree collection in 2013.
Giovanna Borza debuted her SS14 collection in January 2014. She has since had pieces photographed on Millie Mackintosh, Olivia Palermo, while Madaline Mulqueen wore one of her dresses on the red carpet for the premiere of Transformers in Tokyo.
Tara Morgan: Tara is a well known Dublin photographer, who always captures our capital’s beauty through her lens.
"If my photography has a theme it’s urban diversity. Us Dubliners tend to complain about the “grey” skies a lot, but our unpredictable weather offers a whole display of colour just waiting to be captured. That’s true of the people too, this city has the greatest array of characters. So even in my portrait photography I like to really integrate the architecture and landscape, so that subject and surroundings are unified. That’s what I’m all about – showing the best of Dublin and Dubliners to the world."
Image via TazMoMedia on Twitter
Victoria Levins: Victoria is an incredible artist who has been noticed and acknowledged by her favourite artists on Instagram, such as Sam Smith and Gavin James.
@98FM #98fm #BestOfDublin #bestcreativedub #gavinjames @gavinjame #victorialevinsbestcreativedub pic.twitter.com/u5oLmuHS75
— Victoria Levins Art (@VicLevinsArt) May 9, 2016
The 24-year-old from Malahide says always knew I'd end up doing some form of art. Her father is also an extremely talented artist in many fields, growing up I spent my days in his workshop and studio so I got a grasp of the artist life from a very young age.
When #art is not just a career but a #passion .. #dreambig #workhard #achieve. Monday's #art #apron pic.twitter.com/ZJITdPqkfA
— Victoria Levins Art (@VicLevinsArt) May 9, 2016
Gerard McGuinness: Gerrard is an extremely talented photographer from Finglas, who has captured many shots that have been viewed around the world.
"From a young age I was always wanted to have a camera and shoot movies and take photos but could never afford it. My parents didn't have a lot of money growing up. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I finally decided to chase the dream so I studied a diploma in filming making. I fell in love more with the photography side of it and decided to pursue this path. Photography is a passion which I don't make money from I do it for the love."
Jess Tobin: Jess is a very talented street artist and illustrator whose pieces have been shown all over Dublin.
The Clondalkin native says he has been involved with art since she could draw. Jess went to BCFE twice and NCAD twice but is much newer to street art. She did her first piece with spray paint in Oct 2012 and her first piece as Novice in July 2013.
Jess told 98FM she got involved because of her job as a Youth Development officer.
"The young people wanted a Graffiti Group so we set one up and got some funding for Graffiti artists to come in. I was hooked once I tried out using a spray can. I'd had an appreciation for graffiti and street art for years but was never exposed to the possibility of working that way before. After that I was then given some great opportunities to paint in Graffiti jams & events by Evolve Urban Art, All City Dublin, UV Arts Derry & Hit the North which has been amazing."
Best Bus Driver
Mark Devereux: Mark drives the no. 16 route & is renowned for his smile & service.
John Ryan: John has been driving with Dublin Bus for 21 years & is a shining example of what a sightseeing tour is all about.
Laura Hughes: Laura drives the 46A is known to be friendly & caring to all passengers on board.
Maura Burke: Maura drives the 17A and makes sure to give her passengers a laugh in the morning & a welcoming smile.
Mick Kelly: Mick drives with Dublin Bus Tours and is a brilliant entertainer and character.
Best of luck to all of our finalists!
