WICKLOW PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARDS HELD IN GLENDALOUGH HOTEL

COUNTY WICKLOW PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

A group of local heroes gathered at the Glendalough Hotel last Friday evening to accept their ‘County Wicklow People of the Year’ awards.

The event was held to recognise the wonderful contributions made across Wicklow communities as well as to raise funds for Wicklow Hospice Foundation.

Chairman of the foundation Sean Dorgan congratulated all the winners. He said that the efforts of these unsung heroes helped to improve the quality of life in their communities. Mr Dorgan said that Wicklow Hospice Foundation also wants to make a real difference in a way that really matters. He said that after a final fundraising drive they hope to break ground and ultimately open the 15-bed facility within three years. ‘My own personal hope is that building will be under way this time next year’, said Mr Dorgan. Meanwhile, the guests at the event heard from Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Pat Fitzgerald; Emma Stafford, Commissioning Editor of People Newspapers; and one of the organisers Bill Porter, before MC Christy Kenneally introduced ten remarkable winners.

It was an emotional and enjoyable evening, with the winners themselves most modest and humble throughout.

Arklow man David Owens received an award for 1916 Commemoration for his extraordinary efforts to mark this important year. Paul Keogh from Bray was named Volunteer of the Year for his tireless work as a first responder. Rathdrum stalwart Seamus ‘Seamie’ O’Toole received an award for Service to the Community. The National Learning Network in Arklow was awarded the Community Health Award after being nominated by student Pauline Cullen; tireless fundraiser and activist Dessie O’Toole from Bray was presented with the Community Spirit Award; Fiona Shannon won the sports award for her work with Aughrim-Annacurragh Community Games; Dunlavin’s Paul O’Toole collected the Community Arts for his tireless work in the village; the Polish-Irish Education Association won the Social Inclusion Award; Canon Robert Jennings collected the Heritage award on his 92nd birthday; and there was hardly a dry eye in the house as Margaret O’Donovan was presented with the Carer of the Year Award.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Bryan Doyle presenting the Community Health Award to Antoinette Delamere, Judith Watson, Daphne Smith, Deborah Coughlan and Pauline Newman from the National Learning Network.

Michael Nicholson from Wicklow County Council presents the Social Inclusion Award to the Polish-Irish Education Association.

Sinead Tarmey from Wicklow Hospice Foundation and Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, presenting Canon Robert Jennings with the Heritage Award.

Ciaran Byrne from Wicklow Hospice Foundation and Mary Fogarty from the Bray People presenting the Community Arts Award to Paul O’Toole from Dunlavin.

Paul Keogh from Bray receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award from Bryan Doyle of Wicklow County Council.

Phil O’Rourke from Shoreline Leisure presents Dessie O’Toole from Bray with the award for Community Spirit.

Lisa Cairns from Wicklow Local Sports Partnership presents Fiona Shannon with the Sports Award.