El's team of journalists took the main media prize at the inaugural metro eireann Media and Multiculturalism Awards (MAMA) ceremony, held in Dublin's historic City Hall on May Day.

The supplement was recognised for several articles published last year considered to have contibuted to intercultural harmony. Speaking at the ceremony, Niall Crowley, chairman of the judging panel, said the entries from EL and others symbolised the innovation, excellence and courage neeed to shape a new multi-ethnic Ireland.

"The fact that these qualities have been demonstrated by journalists, community groups, artists, politicians, schools and entrepreneurs offers hope that the necessary change is at hand and an intercultural Ireland can be realised," he said.

Other winners included TD Chris Flood, Bisi Adigun of RTÉ's Mono, Radio One World and the Louisburgh Community Project. The judging panel included Crowley, Roddy Doyle, Joan Harbison of the North's equality commission, Ronit Lentin of Trinity College Dublin and several other representatives of Ireland's diverse ethnic communities.