Tis a lovely thing that’s sitting in a box in our livingroom at the moment. I don’t quite yet know where I’m putting her yet. It’ll remind me to keep doing what I enjoy doing and as I think I said last night I blog simply because I enjoy it and it can be done. Thanks to all the readers, commenters, nominators, judges, and of course to my sources of information and inspiration!

She’s a she of course. And indeed varieties of her were won by a whole load of lovely talented women last night – Sinead, Sabrina, Beaut.ie, Gingerpixel, Lorraine @ Italian Foodies, Grannymar, A Simple Yarn, The Family Voyage. We’re only brilliant! And I look forward to the continued increase of and respect for the voices of women in Irish blogging, because as last night proved we’re rather good at this – and I’ll also hope to see and support continued chances to introduce other women to the formats and possibilities in documenting whatever stories we have to tell. Lads yer all brilliant too!

Many thanks to Irish Broadband for sponsoring the category, to Hosting365 for sponsoring the Champagne from Bubble Brothers, and to Moviestar.ie for the DVD player!

I don’t think enough thanks and praise can be given to Damien Mulley for the making the (completely non profit/NGO supporting/non business generating/headwrecking) thing that is Irish Blog Awards and the community spirit, the nights craic, the profile given to social media, interest, support, friendly rivalry that goes with it. Rick cried last night when he won – what’s that say? (I snivelled later at home…not a qik in sight…)

Finally thanks to Karen, (who was referred to as Mrs Suzy, the wife, Maman Poulet’s other half and the Rooster last night.) Thanks for being there, loving me and helping me in lots of ways do what I enjoy doing. I’ll never be your wife though but I think you understand!! x

Update – Photos are beginning to appear – more links as I get them – Marcus has lots of photos here including some of me!

Ryan’s set of official photos are now available here.