The jury is in on Ireland’s best websites, at least according to the annual Web Awards organised by Damien Mulley and sponsored by Realex Payments.

“We had the most diverse entries this year as well as the greatest number and so many first time winners reflecting the evolving and growing web community in Ireland,” said Mulley.

“There were 30 categories and many of the business ones were over-subscribed. Just like we split social media from the Web Awards five years ago to make the Social Media Awards, we will do the same in 2016 for the eCommerce Awards.”

The awards were presented at an RDS function attended by 500 people. The Grand Prix was awarded to Waterford Whispers, Ireland's answer to The Onion.

Waterford Whispers is paying its way for Colm Williamson (36), who owns and runs the site from his base in Tramore. The operating company Whispers Media Ltd had turnover of €37,000 in 2014, with a gross profit of €32,000 after cost of sales amounting to €5,000. From that, Williamson drew down a salary of €27,000. The company’s net worth at year-end was a negative €343.

In Association with

WEB AWARDS WINNERS

Best Media Site
98FM.com

Best Web Only Publication
dublintown.ie

Best Daily Web Only Publication
waterfordwhispersnews.com

Best Sports Site
GAA Handball

Best Sports News Site
Sports Joe

Best Music News Site
Goldenplec

Best Entertainment Website
Tayto Park

Best Arts and Culture Website
Century Ireland Gallipoli

Best Science and Technology Site
Silicon Republic

Best New Web Application/Service
chronic-disease.ie

Best Website of a Startup (sponsored by Blacknight)
letsgetchecked

Best Podcast Series
738am Podcast

Best Government Website
breastfeeding.ie

Best Education Website
tcd.ie/visitors

Best Microsite
manonbridge.ie

Best eCommerce (Micro)
hairybaby.com

Best eCommerce (Medium)
cleantec.biz

Best eCommerce (International)
partnershipinternational.ie

Best eCommerce (Retail)
ardkeen.com

Best SME Website (Micro)
cuckoo.ie

Best SME Website (Medium)
cinnamon.ie

Best SME Website (Large, sponsored by Blacknight)
mcgowansprint.com

Best Financial Services Website
glohealth.ie

Most Beautiful Website
thelittlemilkcompany.ie

Most Innovative Website
jason.piq-niq.net

Web Agency of the Year
Artizan.ie

Most Influential Irish Website ever
Irish Times

Grand Prix
Waterford Whispers