Claire Grady named editor of Irish Independent

HISTORIC APPOINTMENT?Claire Grady will be the first ever female editor of the Irish Independent.

Westport native takes over editorial reins at Irish Independent


Westport journalist Claire Grady has been appointed to the pivotal position of Editor of the Irish Independent, the flagship publication of Independent News and Media (INM).
Currently Editor of the Evening Herald, she is the first woman editor of the newspaper. She had been one of the favourite candidates for the job.
Claire, who undertook work experience at The Mayo News in her early career, is daughter of Seamus Grady and the late Bridie Grady, Quay Road, Westport. Her brother Richard also lives in Westport.
INM Editor-in-chief, Stephen Rea, said the compnay were delighted to appoint Claire as Editor of the Irish Independent as part of an overall strategy “to reshape the newsroom and to deepen its relationship with readers in print and online.”
He said Claire Grady had shown the drive and energy to lead the Irish Independent to the next level.
“Claire is one of the outstanding journalists of her generation. She has devised a comprehensive strategy around all the main areas of the title to further grow the Irish Independent’s position as Ireland’s leading newspaper. She is the newspaper’s first woman editor and previously was a news editor of the paper before becoming opinion editor, executive editor and editor of The ‘Herald’ said Stephen Rea. Addressing newsroom staff Ms Grady said the new role would likely be daunting but she was looking forward to the challenges.
Her appointment was announced along with that of Ian Mallon who becomes Group Head of News at INM. A colleague said of her “Claire is very well liked and very well respected.Everyone is very pleased for her”.
Local Minister of State, Michael Ring, TD, congratulated Claire on her appointment.
“I am delighted to see Claire Grady being appointed as editor of one of the country’s most popular newspapers,” he said. “I wish her the best of luck and offer congratulations to her family. It is always satisfying to see someone from Westport reaching the top.”
Claire Grady is a past pupil of the Sacred Heart School, Westport. In recent times she has been an occasional panelist on RTE television’s ‘Morning Edition’, presented by Keelin Shanley.
All at The Mayo News and her many Westport friends wish her well in her new and challenging appointment.