Local volunteers are honoured at Cathaoirleach’s Awards Ceremony
A NUMBER of County Sligo's most dedicated volunteers were honoured at the annual Cathaoirleach's Awards ceremony in County Hall, Riverside on Wednesday evening, December 13 The awards were introduced to acknowledge the contribution of the many unsung heroes who carry out invaluable voluntary work in our communities.
The Awards were presented in eight categories: Arts, Culture, Heritage and Irish Language: Sylvia Lawson, presented by Cllr Declan bree; Community Individual: Ray Gallagher, pretend by Cllr Rosaleen O'Grady; Community Group: Geevagh GAA, presented by Cllr Thomas Walsh; Environment, Circular Economy and Climate Action: Coláiste Iascaigh Green Schools Committee; Schools/Young Enterprise: Conor Burke, Cllr Gino O'Boyle; Sligo Publications, Maura Bell, presented by Cllr Arthur Gibbons; Sports: Catherine Keogh, presented by Cllr Marie Casserly; Spirit of sligo: Sligo Neolithic Landscape, presented by the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Gerard Mullaney. The Cathaoirleach Councillor Mullaney explained how the awards scheme was introduced, to acknowledge individuals and groups that have made a significant positive impact on their community or have achieved excellence in their respective fields. The awards aim to highlight the importance of community engagement, civic responsibility, and the promotion of local talent and initiatives. “Too seldom as a community, do we take the time to formally show our appreciation for the enormous work of our dedicated community volunteers, those people who give so generously of their time, energy and expertise for the common good.
“Over the course of my time in public life, but particularly in my capacity as Cathaoirleach, I have been simply overwhelmed by the magnificent work carried out by our volunteers.
“Your work may often go unnoticed, but its effects are felt by all.
“Your dedication serves as an inspiration, encouraging others to join in and make a difference. You are the driving force behind positive change, and we are grateful for your unwavering commitment.”
He said the awards ceremony is Sligo County Council's opportunity to show their gratitude for this invaluable contribution.
“The most effective work we do as an Authority is in conjunction with the community we serve, and our engagement with voluntary groups and associations has been the backdrop to many successful projects.
“It is an honour to be nominated for an award in any field of endeavour, and our guests here this evening have been put forward by people who hold them in great esteem.
“Our committee was genuinely impressed by the scale and quality of voluntary work being carried around our county by individuals and groups. These are the true ‘unsung heroes' in our society who discreetly go about their business, they invariably shun the limelight, but we publicly applaud and commend them today.”
The Cathaoirleach extended his gratitude to his colleagues on the Cathaoirleach's Awards Committee “for their work in studying the nominations and selecting the eventual winners; I think when you see the calibre of the people we are honouring this afternoon, you will agree the
SYVLIA has been a dedicated community member in the Maugherow area for over 70 years.
She has been a member of the Lissadell Church select vestry for over 40 years and has served regularly as Glebewarden, taking great care of the church buildings and the Lissadell Centre. Sylvia was often seen up ladders cleaning gutters, polishing timberwork or fixing windows and when she was restricted from climbing ladders she made sure to get someone else in to do the jobs, even ESB or council workers were often nabbed to help out when they were working nearby. Sylvia has a heart for keeping the doors of the church open for all of the community and making sure our shared heritage is well maintained and accessible. I think she deserves recognition for her years of effort.
O'Grady
Community Individual Councillor Rosaleen
Ray Gallagher
RAY Gallagher has spent most of his 86 years serving the people of County Sligo. Through work as an agricultural and forestry advisor he assisted countless small farmers throughout the county. While his professional life was in service of Western Forestry and the Irish Cooperative Organisation
Society (ICOS), his passion was the Sligo Showgrounds.
Ray serves as Chairman of the Management Committee and subsequently the Ground Development Committee, under his stewardship the Treacy Avenue stand was built, a new all-weather pitch was laid and a car park and boundary wall were provided in a partnership with Sligo Borough Council.
He served on the Board of the FAI and was made an Honorary Life Member in recognition of his outstanding service. At local level he was installed as Sligo Rovers Vice President in 2022.
During his lifetime of service to Sligo Rovers, he has made an enormous input in many areas, arguably his most valuable contribution was in relation to the Showgrounds. In 1968, Ray played a key role along with Albert Higgins and then Mayor and Club Chairman the late John Fallon in acquiring the two estates that made up the Showgrounds, the Fowler and Campbell estates, thus providing Sligo Rovers with a permanent home. In 2016, under Ray's leadership, the ground was legally registered as a Charitable Trust, thereby ensuring it is preserved in perpetuity as a community and recreational facility for the people of Sligo.
Ray's modest and unassuming nature ensured he never sought the limelight or any acknowledgement for his lifetime of voluntary service, but his vision and drive in securing the Showgrounds bestows a priceless legacy for future generations of Sligo people.
Community Group
Councillor Thomas Walsh
THE committee this year has done so much to get the community back up and running after covid. Representing sligo in the Lidl one good club. Having a jam pack line up of activities for young and old for a 10-week period. Comprising of first Saint Patrick's Day enter for Geevagh, getting some of the country's top speakers and sports people to come to talk on their mental health experience. As a lead on from the One Goodclub experience some of the fun events are happening again over the winter months.
Over the summer they got various underage teams to play at Sligo ladies game and a trip to Croke Park for their u11 team. From this some new people joined in to help out with all the underage games and blitz over the summer. Summer was rounded off in style with a magnificent sports day where again young and old had a great day. Overall Geevagh GAA Club certainly put Geevagh back on the map in 2023.
Environment, Circular Economy & Climate Action
Councillor Joe Queenan Coláiste Iascaigh Green School's Committee
THIS school was the Marine Ambassador School in Ireland for 2022-23.
The main students that were involved in ensuring that we were doing our part on educating and making difference to marine environments were the students of the green schools committee. There are 27 students in total. Throughout the year they organised a range of activities, competitions, beach cleans and initiatives