1.2.05
BBC
First edition of Daily Ireland hits shops
Daily Ireland hit the news stands on Tuesday
The first edition of a new daily newspaper has gone on sale across Northern Ireland.
Daily Ireland, published by the Andersonstown News Group, will be cross-border and pro-nationalist.
About 60,000 copies of the paper have been printed to coincide with its launch in Belfast on Tuesday.
Managing Director Mairtin O Muilleoir said while the market was crowded with titles he was confident Daily Ireland would be a success.
"There's a great appetite for newspapers. Yes, there are a lot of newspapers out there, but none catering for this niche in the market," he said.
"We're taking on everyone in the market. We're on sale across the country. We have put together a very polished product and it's different. I think it's going to fly and there's a real demand for that."
Mr O Muilleoir said it was a "real triumph" to see Daily Ireland on the news stands after almost a year of intense preparations.
Mairtin O Muilleoir is confident it will be a success
"We intend to provide a fresh, vibrant, dynamic package for the modern reader who wants a paper which is tops for sport, exclusives and features," he said.
Editor Maria McCourt said newspapers had to adapt to massive changes in the industry, and they took this on board when deciding its content.
"They (newspapers) are no longer the primary source of information for people, especially morning papers," she said.
"People want to get more from their newspaper and I think views and analysis is the way to go."
Daily Ireland, priced 50 pence, hopes to take sales off the Irish News and the Irish editions of the English tabloids which sell well in nationalist areas.
It needs to sell 20,000 copies a day to break even and expects to pick up sales principally in Northern Ireland, Dublin and the border counties.
First edition of Daily Ireland hits shops
Daily Ireland hit the news stands on Tuesday
The first edition of a new daily newspaper has gone on sale across Northern Ireland.
Daily Ireland, published by the Andersonstown News Group, will be cross-border and pro-nationalist.
About 60,000 copies of the paper have been printed to coincide with its launch in Belfast on Tuesday.
Managing Director Mairtin O Muilleoir said while the market was crowded with titles he was confident Daily Ireland would be a success.
"There's a great appetite for newspapers. Yes, there are a lot of newspapers out there, but none catering for this niche in the market," he said.
"We're taking on everyone in the market. We're on sale across the country. We have put together a very polished product and it's different. I think it's going to fly and there's a real demand for that."
Mr O Muilleoir said it was a "real triumph" to see Daily Ireland on the news stands after almost a year of intense preparations.
Mairtin O Muilleoir is confident it will be a success
"We intend to provide a fresh, vibrant, dynamic package for the modern reader who wants a paper which is tops for sport, exclusives and features," he said.
Editor Maria McCourt said newspapers had to adapt to massive changes in the industry, and they took this on board when deciding its content.
"They (newspapers) are no longer the primary source of information for people, especially morning papers," she said.
"People want to get more from their newspaper and I think views and analysis is the way to go."
Daily Ireland, priced 50 pence, hopes to take sales off the Irish News and the Irish editions of the English tabloids which sell well in nationalist areas.
It needs to sell 20,000 copies a day to break even and expects to pick up sales principally in Northern Ireland, Dublin and the border counties.
