County mayor honours local Cork communities

GROUPS and individuals from across County Cork have been acknowledged for the outstanding contributions they made to their communities over the past year at a gala bash held last Wednesday evening at Cork County Hall.

Now in their sixth year, the annual Cork County Mayor’s Community Awards Scheme acknowledges the successes and achievements of those whose tireless voluntary efforts on behalf of others, in conjunction with Cork County Council and other agencies, has helped draw their respective communities together.

Nominations were made by members of cork County Council and the Public Participation Network (PPN), with all the nominees invited to attend the presentation ceremony.

County Mayor Declan Hurley presented three awards on the evening to groups and individuals from Cork County Council’s three divisional areas, with Youghal man Séan Murphy winning the overall individual award for his years of service to the GAA and overall Community and Voluntary Group award going to the Carrigtwohill Family Resource Centre.

Of particular interest to Corkman readers were the northern division winners who beat off stiff opposition from other worthy nominees to win the Photos: David Keane

divisional awards.

The North Cork group winners were Dromahane Community Park Group for its work in developing the facility in the village and the Old Kilcrumper Graveyard Friends Association for its work in maintaining the Fermoy cemetery.

The individual award went to Mallow man Wayne O’Donnell for his role as a leader on the Operation Transformation television show.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cllr Hurley said he was delighted to be able to honour the work and commitment of all the nominees.

“An amazing 34 community groups and individuals were nominated, chosen for the superb contributions and improvements made to their respective communities across County Cork. That is a wonderful indictment of the culture that we have in our county and one which I am delighted to be in a position to recognise, and celebrate through these awards,” said Mayor Hurley.

“I would like to see even more nominations for these awards next year. I would like to see the ethos of volunteerism go forward and spread, to benefit each other and for the benefits to ourselves. Any litter that is picked, any time donated, any thought shared, all go toward making our communities even stronger and create great places to live happily,” he concluded.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Declan Hurley making a presntation to presentation to the Old Kilcrumper Graveyard group of John Fenton, Robert Butterworth, Christy Roche and Kieran Jordan with Cllr FRank O’Flynn (nominator).

Mary Keohane, Deborah Maguire and Sue Pamment from ‘Brand Blarney’, one of the groups nominated in the County Mayor’s Community Awards 2018.

Mayor Hurley making a presentation to the Kilmurry Historical Association group of Aidan O’Sullivan, Louise Daly and Anthony and Mary O’Sullivan.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Declan Hurley makes the presentation to Dromahane Community Park group members Mary Manning and Ronnie Dunne.