Best, brightest & bravest

COUNCIL HONOURS THE BEST OF THE COUNTY

IT LASHED rain all night in Killarney, but indoors at the Great Southern Hotel there was a warmth that couldn’t be rivalled.

And the source of that warmth was the deserving recognition Kerry County Council bestowed up Kerry’s best, brightest, and bravest.

Many of the county’s councillors had put forward those in the county they felt best-deserved a Kerry County Council and Municipal District Awards. The end result saw 28 recipients selected, including 19 across the county’s five Municipal Districts.

One by one, the MDs’ Cathaoirligh took to the podium to read out citations praising their districts’ recipients. And, one by one, those recipients came forward – to the backing track of AC/ DC’s Back in Black – to accept their hard-earned accolades.

Across the MDs, recipients were rewarded for their work and achievements across a wide range of disciplines, including the arts, sport, heritage, science, endurance, journalism, charity and community work, and even sheepdog-trials.

Acts of heroism were also recognised, not least those of Mike Moriarty, who rescued an American couple whose car had fallen from a slipway and into the sea in Valentia.

The centrepiece of the night, however, was the Civic Reception accorded to 18-year-old Ian O’Connell, who has inspired countless people through his bravery and attitude since suffering life-changing injuries in a cycling accident in Killarney Park two and a half years ago.

The crowd stood to acclaim Ian, who said he couldn’t have imagined what he has achieved since lying on the ground following his 2017 accident.

But everyone honoured on Friday night was deserving of their recognition; as Chief Executive Moira Murrell put it, they represent the very best of Kerry.

Listowel Municipal District Awards

Ballydonoghue Comhaltas Under-12 Dancers

Cian Horgan, Wheelchair Hurling Champion 2019

Listowel Pitch and Putt Club Moya Festival, Ballybunion

Kenmare Municipal District Awards Rockmount Care Centre, Kilgarvan Mike Moriarty who rescued two tourists from drowning in Valentia

Tara Foley, Glencar, Sheepdog Champion

Timothy McGrath, Killorglin student for scientific creativity and ingenuity

Trials

Killarney Municipal District Awards Killarney Scorchers Cheerleading Club Killarney Comhaltas Dancers Rena Kennelly for creating the Christmas

Crib at St Mary’s Cathedral for 46 years

Castleisland- Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District Awards

John Lenihan, athlete

Pat Murphy, athlete

Nuala Moore, sea swimmer

Seán Mac an tSíthigh, journalist

Tralee Municipal District Awards Louise Quill, for her charitable work in Tanzania

Elaine Burrows Dillane, Channel swimmer

Brian Walsh, for services to the community

Francie Conway, for his work with the Christie Hennessy Festival.

All photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher presenting Kevin Lynch with his award in recognition of his achievement at European Masters Athletics. Also included is Chief Executive Kerry County Council Moira Murrell and Cllr Michael Kennelly, Listowel.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher presenting team members of Kerry Camogie Team with their award. Also included are Chief Executive Kerry County Council Moira Murrell and Cllr Mike Kennelly.

Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher presenting Kerry Red Cross – Majella Forde and Maureen Millward – an award. Also included: Chief Executive Kerry County Council Moira Murrell.

Ian O’Connell received the highest accolade in Kerry, a civic reception “For showing strength, bravery and determination in the face of insurmountable odds”.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Gary O’Sullivan, with his award, in recognition achieving a Gold Medal at the Special Olympics in 2019, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council.

Ian O’Connell with Cathaoirleach Niall Kelleher; parents, Mike and Noreen O’Connell;; and Chief Executive Kerry County Council Moira Murrell. All photos by Valerie O’Sullivan

Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher with recipients of Kerry County Council Annual Awards Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan