Golden Spiders 2006 Winners announced Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006
10th Annual eircom Golden Spiders Unveil Best Websites of 2006
* Cormac Callanan presented with 2006 Internet Hero Award
* RTE.ie scoop three eircom Golden Spiders including Grand Prix Award
(Thursday, 23rd November 2006) Winners of the eircom Golden Spider Awards 2006 were unveiled tonight at a gala black-tie event in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel, hosted by comedian Jason Byrne and well known model/TV presenter Glenda Gilson. Over 700 movers and shakers were out in force, to celebrate the online successes of 2006, and to honour individuals and organisations for outstanding achievements.
Internet pioneer, Cormac Callanan received the prestigious ‘Internet Hero’ award for his outstanding contribution to the industry in Ireland and across Europe. As a computer researcher at Trinity College Dublin, Callanan set up the Irish European Unix Network, the precursor to the Internet in Ireland. He was a founder of the first Irish Internet Service Provider (ISP). His experience and reputation made him the obvious candidate as chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland (ISPAI) in 1998, where he was instrumental in scoping out and implementing various initiatives on illegal content use. In December 1999, Callanan helped establish Hotline (www.hotline.ie), enabling members of the public to anonymously report illegal content on the Internet. Callanan is currently secretary general of Inhope (International Association of Internet Hotlines), founded in 1999 under the EC Safer Internet Action Plan. In addition to representing Inhope, Callanan has represented both Irish and European Internet Service Providers at Irish Government and EU level.
RTE.ie scooped three awards including the overall ‘2006 Grand Prix Award’, ‘Best News, Media & Entertainment Website’ and ‘Best Sports & Leisure Website’. AIB.ie won ‘Best Financial Website’ and HostelWorld.Com was awarded ‘Best Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Website’, while the ‘Best Retail Website’ award went to GoHop.ie. Other winners included MyHome.ie for ‘Best E-business Website’ and Moviestar.ie won ‘Best Newcomer’ of 2006.
The 2006 Golden Spiders drew a record number of entries from across Ireland for each of the 16 different categories. The awards were judged by a prestigious panel comprising leaders from industry, commerce, media and academia, which was chaired by Cathal Magee, Managing Director of eircom Retail. The panel evaluated entries on a diverse range of judging criteria including content, structure & navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity as well as overall user experience.
A number of new awards were introduced this year including ‘Best Broadband Application’ and ‘Best Professional Services Website’. While the eircom Golden Spiders have a strong business slant, the awards encourage the importance of promoting Internet usage within the community and Trocaire.org was awarded ‘Best Community/Charity website’.
Commenting on the awards, Cathal Magee, Managing Director of eircom Retail said, “We are delighted to sponsor the 10th Annual Golden Spider Awards and to reward Irish businesses and community organisations for their creativity and innovation. The entries this year were outstanding and testament to the strength of the Irish Internet industry. These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and showcase online excellence.”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ian Hyland, Business & Finance said, “The response to the 2006 awards reflects just how important the Golden Spiders are as a benchmark for distinction and excellence in web based business strategies. The standard of entries this year has been exceptional and is indicative of how progressive and competitive this business environment is.”
2006 eircom Golden Spider Winners
1. AOL Best Financial Website
Winner: aib.ie/personal
2. SalesOnLine.ie Best Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Website
Winner: hostelworld.com
3. Daft.ie Best News, Media & Entertainment Website
Winner: rte.ie
4. Comreg Best Sports, Health and Leisure Website
Winner: rte.ie/sport
5. FAS Best Social Networking, Community & Not For Profit Website
Winner: trocaire.org
6. RTE Best Education Website
Winner: gaelscoildehide.ie
7. HostelWorld.com Best Marketing Campaign
Winner: carbuyersguide.ie
8. Department of Communications Best Web Design Agency
Winner: clearscape.ie
9. IEDR Best Technology Innovation Award
Winner: cashcollector.com
10. Allianz Best Retail Website
Winner: gohop.ie
11. Cash Collector Best Professional Services Website
Winner: Raymondpotterton.com
12. Irish Jobs Best e-Business Website
Winner: Myhome.ie
13. ArgusCarHire.Com Best New Website Launched in 2006
Winner: moviestar.ie
14. Best Broadband Application Award
Winner: tg4.ie
15. Arekibo Best Public Sector Website
Winner: callcosts.ie
16. Red Ribbon.ie Best HR, Training and Recruitment Website
Winner: monster.ie
17. Internet Hero 2006 Award
Winner: Cormac Callanan
18. eircom 2006 Golden Spiders Grand Prix Award
Winner: RTE.ie
eircom 2006 Golden Spiders Judging Panel
