About Us
Established in 1964, The Skipper has evolved into the leading commercial fishing publication in Ireland and the UK, with a monthly publication that is available in both digital and print editions. As part of the Donegal based media company Mara Media, The Skipper is printed as a glossy 48-page monthly magazine and is recognised as the leading marine media forum for coverage of all news and events within the fishing industry.
With a monthly audience of approximately 11,500 readers, The Skipper is available on subscription worldwide, with our monthly digital edition available at the touch of a button. It is also distributed throughout the year at a number of industry exhibitions and events, including our own Skipper Expos, meaning our reach is wide and is expanding all the time. Our website has on average 26,500 monthly visitors, as well as our strong social media presence with over 78,000 followers, The Skipper is dedicated to covering fishing related matters for our readership and is distributed and sold throughout Ireland & the UK’s coastal communities.
Reflecting our position as a sector leader, the Skipper Expos have proven exceptionally successful and are the ideal place for anyone involved in the fishing industry to do business, network and keep updated with current trends.
First established with the Irish Skipper Expo in 2005, the Skipper Expos have gone from strength to strength. Originally held in Galway, the success of the Irish event and its rapid expansion over the years has resulted in the show moving to Limerick for 2022, for what was our largest Irish Expo to date.
Following the success of the Irish event, Mara Media felt that the Scottish fishing sector would also benefit from an annual fisheries show, and set up the Scottish Skipper Expo in 2011, quickly followed by an English Skipper Expo in 2013. Held annually, the Scottish Skipper Expo Aberdeen has expanded year on year and is now based in the state-of-the-art P&J Live exhibition centre.
Over the years as the Expos have grown, in line with Mara Media’s philosophy, we have continually consulted with our exhibitors and visitors to ensure the shows fully meet their requirements. Our readers, exhibitors, and visitors make The Skipper what it is and as we continue to grow we continue working with them to ensure we meet their requirements.
Our Team
Hugh Bonner
Managing Director, Mara Media
T: +353 (0) 74 9548935
E: hugh@maramedia.ie
Hugh lives and breathes the fishing industry – it’s in his blood. Coming from a generation of fishermen, Hugh spent eight years a skipper, fishing from Burtonport on a gill netter and trawler.
He swapped the nets for notebooks in 1998 when he joined The Skipper and in 2005 he took the plunge and bought the magazine.
It was then that he setup Mara Media and has watched the business grow from strength to strength since then – and it’s all down to his passion and roots. Mara Media now has eight staff and various national and international events and publications in its portfolio.
Niall Duffy
Editor - The Skipper
: +353 (0) 86 8239608
E: editorial@maramedia.ie
Mara Media Ltd is pleased to announce the reappointment of Niall Duffy as Editor of its flagship publication The Skipper.
Based in Castletownbere, Niall has spent the last 30 years in various roles within the fishing and marine industries both in Ireland and further afield. He began his fishing career in Killybegs and since 2013 has been editor of The Skipper several times.
Having worked in the catching, processing and sales sectors of fishing and seafood, Niall has had an unique insight into all aspects of the industry and will bring this wealth of experience to the pages of The Skipper.
Camera in hand, Niall has been a familiar sight on piers and in harbours around our coasts over the years and has worked for national and international media documenting the highs and lows of fishing and aquaculture.
Sharon Boyle
Commercial Fishing Manager
T: +353 (0) 74 9548037
M: +353 (0) 86 8401250
E: sharon@maramedia.ie
If you’re in any way involved in the fishing industry, chances are you’ve come across our Commercial Fishing Manager, Sharon Boyle.
Sharon has worked with The Skipper for the past 21 years and has spearheaded the growth of the publication as well as the launch of our annual fishing expos.
An integral part of the team, Sharon’s role spans across sales, marketing and event management. Her skills and experience in these areas enables her to produce promotional platforms for fishing industry brands that consistently delivers real results.
Noreen Boyle
Editor & Events Administrator
T: +353 (0) 74 9562843
E: admin@maramedia.ie
Noreen joined the team in 2021 having spent 8 years in Dubai as an English and Media teacher. During her time there, she also wrote for BBC Good Food Middle East and now works as the Editor of Mara Media publications such as, Takeoff, Go West and Letterkenny Business magazines.
Her role also includes overseeing the day-to-day running of The Skipper website and assisting with the monthly magazine publications.
Noreen coordinates with exhibitors and vendors for our events and creates the content and listings for the website, exhibitor manuals and show guide booklets. She is also our point of contact for any post event feedback and is always striving to find areas where we can improve and build upon for future exhibitions.
Paul Ewen
Designer
T: +353 (0) 74 9548037
E: design@maramedia.ie
Paul first joined our team back in 2018 as the designer of the Takeoff, Go West and Mayo Ultimate Guide magazines. With an Honours Degree in Graphic Design from Leicester De Montfort University, Paul has over 30 years experience in Graphic Design in the Publishing Industry, having worked on some of the UK’s leading sports and leisure magazines as chief designer and Art Director.
Paul is now the Chief Designer of The Skipper magazine and is a key figure in the development of all logos, advertisements and designs for our events.
Geraldine Boyle
Finance and HR Manager
T: +353 (0) 74 9562828
E: accounts@maramedia.ie
Geraldine has been with Mara Media since its inception and has more than 20 years of experience in Finance Management. Having previously worked with Glasgow City Council in various administrative roles, she has experience in taxation, bookkeeping, teaching and more.
Her qualifications include diplomas in employment law, taxation and bookkeeping, teaching and government studies.