IMPARTIAL REPORTER MARKS 200 YEARS

NEW from the Impartial Reporter team: The third oldest newspaper in Ireland, The Impartial Reporter is this week marking its 200th anniversary.

The weekly title was founded in 1825 in Enniskillen, the paper has documented two centuries of life in Fermanagh and the surrounding region, covering everything from famine and war to peace, partition, pandemics and profound social change.

Established to give people a voice and hold power to account, The Impartial Reporter remains rooted in that original mission. But while the purpose has endured, the paper itself has evolved. No longer solely a print product, it now operates as a multi-platform news brand — in print, online, and across community events, exhibitions, and awards programmes.

A special exhibition celebrating the newspaper’s role in the community will run in Enniskillen Castle until September 28.

The exhibition tracks many strands of the newspaper’s life including the role of women within the title. The role of former Managing Director Joan Trimble is celebrated as that of her successor daughter Joanna McVey and the achievements of Sarah Saunderson who had history when she was appointed as the paper’s first female editor. 

Finally, the newspaper will release a book tracking its history, The Impartial Reporter: 200 Years of Stories.

Marking two centuries at the heart of the community, The Impartial Reporter: 200 Years of Stories is a richly illustrated and deeply personal celebration of one of Ireland’s oldest newspapers. With a foreword by President Michael D. Higgins, this commemorative book brings together a tapestry of voices — past and present —that have shaped the newspaper’s legacy.

Contributors include Denzil McDaniel, Trevor Birney, Sabrina Sweeney, Sarah Saunderson, Joanna McVey, Julie Kenwell, Jessica Campbell, Victoria Johnston, Jasmin Walls and Rodney Edwards. 

Impartial Reporter news editor Victoria Johnston with WIMB director and Belfast Telegraph senior reporter Niamh Campbell at WIMB’s IWD 2025 event in City Hall.

Victoria Johnston, News Editor told WIMB: “It is a great privilege to work as a journalist with The Impartial Reporter as we mark our 200th anniversary.

“The paper has for 200 years charted the history of Fermanagh, South Tyrone and the Border counties with courage and conviction

“It is a tapestry of life in this unique area and it is a great source of pride for our team that our readers value it so deeply.

“This week, we reflect on those who come before us and look to the future. I particularly think of the women of paper who pathed the path before me, former Managing Directors Joan Trimble and Joanna McVey who led their family newspaper with steady hands and former Editor Sarah Saunderson who broke down barriers when she was appointed the paper’s first and to this date only female Editor.

“They leave a great legacy that we are honoured to follow in”