View source for Sligo Weekender

{{Short description|Local newspaper in Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = Sligo Weekender
| image = Sligo Weekender.jpg
| type = [[Weekly newspaper]]
| format = [[Tabloid newspaper|Tabloid]]
| foundation = 1983<ref name="bai">{{cite web|url = http://www.mediaownership.ie/outlet.php?uuid=3f118b1a-f380-48c5-9ec8-5e6b7251afc0 | website = mediaownership.ie | publisher = DCU School of Communications | title = Media Outlet Details - Sligo Weekender | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref>
| owner = Dorothy Crean<ref name="bai"/>
| publisher = Sligo Weekender Ltd
| headquarters = [[Sligo]], [[County Sligo]], Ireland
| website = [http://www.sligoweekender.ie sligoweekender.ie]
}}
The '''''Sligo Weekender''''' is a weekly local newspaper published every Thursday in [[Sligo]], [[County Sligo]], in Ireland. It contains news of interest to Sligo town and county along with the surrounding counties of [[County Leitrim|Leitrim]], [[County Roscommon|Roscommon]] and North [[County Mayo|Mayo]].{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

==History==
The newspaper was founded in 1983 by Brian McHugh, initially as an advertising-funded '[[freesheet]]' with some local news.<ref name="bai"/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/archives/2019/0719/1064067-the-sligo-weekender/ | publisher = RTÉ | website = rte.ie | title = RTÉ Archives - 1984 - The Weekender Newspaper | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref> In 1996, McHugh sold the publication to [[Thomas Crosbie Holdings]] (TCH), publisher of the ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' and other titles;<ref name="IT1996">{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/crosbie-holdings-takes-over-sligo-free-newspaper-1.90573 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Crosbie Holdings takes over Sligo free newspaper | date = 28 September 1996 | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref> he remained as editor.<ref name="IT1996"/> It became a paid-for newspaper in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/sligo-weekender- | publisher = Irish Newspaper Archives | website = irishnewsarchive.com | title = Sligo Weekender | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref>

In December 2010, TCH sold the tabloid newspaper to Carrick-on-Shannon native Kevin Mitchell, who operated a printing company in [[Wexford]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-20138233.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | website = irishexaminer.com | title = Thomas Crosbie Holdings sells Sligo Weekender | date = 2 December 2010 | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref> In 2019, it was purchased from Mitchell by Dorothy Crean.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} Since its purchase by Crean, it is one of the few regional newspapers in Ireland that is locally owned.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

==Competition and circulation==
As of 2007, the newspaper's competition included the ''[[Sligo Champion]]'' and ''[[Sligo Post]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/sale-of-sligo-champion-could-fetch-15m-for-its-owners-1.984922 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Sale of 'Sligo Champion' could fetch €15m for its owners | date = 23 November 2007 | accessdate = 22 November 2022 | quote = The Sligo Champion competes with the Sligo Weekender, which is owned by TCH, and the Sligo Post, which is owned by River Media }}</ref> According to circulation figures collated by the [[Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]] for late 2007, the Sligo Weekender then had a weekly circulation of approximately 7,900 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/sales-slide-makes-sligo-buy-seem-far-from-champion-1.896360 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title = Sales slide makes Sligo buy seem far from champion | date = 22 February 2008 | accessdate = 22 November 2022 | quote = The Weekender had an average weekly circulation of 7,904 between July and December, down 1.9 per cent on a year earlier }}</ref>

==Recognition==
In 2004, the Sligo Weekender won a "community activity" award (for newspapers with circulations under 50,000) at the International Newspaper Marketing Awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-30149118.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | website = irishexaminer.com | title = Sligo Weekender wins top award in US | date = 24 May 2004 | accessdate = 22 November 2022 }}</ref> It also previously received an "award of excellence" at the European Newspaper Design Awards.<ref name="awards"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.sligoweekender.ie/}}

{{Media in County Sligo}}
{{Newspapers in the Republic of Ireland|state=expanded}}

[[Category:1983 establishments in Ireland]]
[[Category:Mass media in Sligo (town)|Weekender]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Newspapers established in 1983]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Sligo (town)]]
[[Category:Thomas Crosbie Holdings]]
[[Category:Weekly newspapers published in Ireland]]