iced coffee

irish web awards 2008

October 15th, 2008

I realise that ‘reactions’ are supposed to be almost instantaneous on the web and many of the blogging folks have managed to get their write-ups on the Irish Web Awards online already. My brilliant excuse is that my macbook died on Saturday afternoon, leaving me unable to live-blog the awards, or upload the photos and begin as early as everyone else.

I arrived at Greystones in the end and had a great night with Darren, Lottie, Darragh, Niamh, Ben, Anthony, Andrew and others(?) (sorry if I’ve forgotten names). There are a few photos on flickr.

Saturday afternoon’s relaxing was cut short when the MacbookPro decided it no longer enjoyed Dublin’s power supply, and, as mentioned shortly after the event, died. I tried to remain calm, I think Darren was surprised at just how calm I was, but I was sure it would just be a temporary thing, very thankfully it was.

Damien once again surpassed all previous web get-togethers. The Radisson in the centre of Dublin City was a great venue, with a well stocked bar for all our drinking needs. Rick O’Shea MC’d once again, and had everyone in stitches the all night. Oh, but then there was the minor technical glitch when the laptop controlling the presentation decided to ‘Hibernate’, which was one of the funniest things to go wrong ever. The most informal of awards ceremonies; no ties, no bullshit, just fun and celebrating the internet.

The best weekend I’ve had in a long time, and I have plenty of good people to thank for that. Firstly to my hosts for the weekend; Darren and Liz for inviting me to stay with him (taken quite literally in the end…) and for the great party on Friday night. And Darragh and Niamh who gave me a comfy bed on Saturday night. Fed and watered and very happy. Thanks guys!

Sponsored by Moviestar.ie, (thanks for the DVDPlayer!), the inaugural (overused much?) Irish Web Awards was a great laugh from start to finish. Moments like Sabrina Dent’s great one-liner [video]: “I knew I should have charged them more”, the dancing dude in the red wig, the pink cupcakes, the polystyrene foam Ws, the dancing, the photos that can’t be published, the people I met and talked to, the rick rolling and oh so much more.