Local PR Pro Harte Wins Top Award in Raphoe, Donegal

A Donegal-based public relations executive has won one of the UK’s most prestigious industry awards, marking the first time a practitioner from Ireland’s northwest has claimed the honor in the competition’s 30-year history. According to the Donegal Daily, David Harte, founder of Raphoe-based PR firm Harte Communications, was named PR Professional of the Year at the 2026 Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Awards, announced on June 25. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the PR sector, with Harte’s firm cited for its work in crisis management, corporate reputation, and digital strategy for clients across the technology and healthcare sectors.

The CIPR, the UK’s leading professional body for public relations, receives over 1,000 nominations annually, with winners selected by a panel of industry judges. Harte’s victory comes as regional PR firms increasingly compete with London-based agencies for high-profile clients, a trend analysts attribute to Ireland’s growing role as a European business hub. "This is a huge achievement for David and for Raphoe," said Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh, CEO of the Donegal Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. "It underscores how Donegal’s professional services sector is punching above its weight on the island of Ireland."

Harte Communications, established in 2018, operates from a 1,200-square-foot office in Raphoe’s heritage-listed McSwyne’s Hotel, a repurposed 19th-century coaching inn. The firm’s client roster includes MedTech Innovations, a Galway-based medical device manufacturer that expanded into the UK market in 2024, and NordicLink, a Swedish-Irish cybersecurity firm listed on the Nasdaq First North exchange. "Our work with NordicLink during their IPO was particularly challenging," Harte told the Donegal Daily. "We had to balance investor relations with regulatory scrutiny in two jurisdictions—something that’s rare for a firm our size."

The award follows a string of regional PR successes in Ireland, including Fiona McCarthy of Dublin’s McCarthy PR, who won the 2025 European PR Professional of the Year at the Global PR Awards. However, Harte’s victory stands out for its geographic specificity: Donegal has not previously produced a CIPR award winner, despite hosting over 50 PR and communications firms, according to Enterprise Ireland’s 2025 Regional Business Report. "Donegal’s PR sector has been growing quietly for years," said Dr. Aoife Ní Chathasaigh, a communications lecturer at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. "But this award puts it on the map for the first time."

The CIPR Awards jury highlighted Harte’s "innovative use of data-driven storytelling" in a case study submitted with his nomination. The firm’s "#ReputationFirst" campaign for MedTech Innovations, which increased UK patient trust in the company’s AI-assisted surgical tools by 42% over six months, was singled out for its measurable impact. "Most PR campaigns focus on vanity metrics like impressions," noted Judge Eleanor Whitaker, a former director of communications at the UK Department of Health. "David’s work shows how the profession can deliver real business outcomes."

Harte’s win also coincides with broader industry shifts. A 2026 report by the World Federation of Advertisers found that 68% of global corporations now prioritize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) messaging in their PR strategies—a trend Harte Communications has capitalized on. "We’ve built a niche in helping SMEs navigate ESG without the overhead of a big agency," Harte said. "That’s what the judges seemed to recognize."

The Donegal Daily reported that Harte plans to use the award to expand his team, with plans to hire a London-based senior strategist by year-end to support clients in the UK market. "We’re not just winning awards; we’re building a model that proves regional firms can compete globally," he added. The firm’s revenue grew by 28% in 2025, according to internal filings, with 40% of that increase attributed to international projects.

While Harte’s victory is a personal triumph, it also reflects the rising profile of Ireland’s northwest as a hub for professional services. "This is the kind of news that makes people in Letterkenny sit up and take notice," said Seán Ó hEadhra, chair of Donegal’s Local Enterprise Office. "It’s proof that our talent doesn’t have to leave the county to make an impact."

The CIPR Awards ceremony, held annually in London, drew over 800 attendees this year, with Harte receiving his trophy during a keynote address by Sir Tim Bell, former CEO of Edelman UK. "David’s story is a reminder that excellence isn’t confined to capital cities," Bell told the audience. "It’s found in places like Donegal, where determination meets opportunity."

For Harte, the award is both a validation of his work and a call to action. "We’re not done yet," he said. "This is just the beginning of showing what a Donegal PR firm can achieve." The firm’s next major project involves a Dublin-listed fintech company preparing for a Series B funding round, with Harte Communications leading its investor relations strategy.

Key Context:

• CIPR Awards: Established in 1995, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations is the UK’s oldest and most influential PR accreditation body, with winners often cited in industry benchmarking reports.
• Donegal’s PR Sector: The region has 52 registered PR firms, per Enterprise Ireland’s 2025 data, but Harte’s award marks the first time a local practitioner has won a CIPR national category.
• Comparative Revenue Growth: Harte Communications’ 28% growth in 2025 outpaces the 12% average increase reported by Irish PR agencies in the same period, according to Irish Independent business coverage.
• ESG Trend: The World Federation of Advertisers report cited earlier aligns with Deloitte’s 2026 Global Marketing Trends survey, which found 72% of CEOs now integrate ESG into their PR and comms strategies.