Recipients of 2015 mayo people of the year awards announced
THE cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Michael Holmes, officiated at the announcement of the 2015 Mayo People of The Year Awards at a press reception at Breaffy House Resort.
He said 16 individuals or groups will be presented with their accolades at the 23rd annual gala banquet in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, on Saturday, November 28.
The event, organised by Mayo RehabCare, Mayo County Council and The Connaught Telegraph, has since its launch has raised in excess of €200,000 for service users of RehabCare at their headquarters in Castlebar.
The compere for the night will be Henry McGlade of Irish TV and music will be supplied by Hip Pocket Trio.
Tickets for the event are now on sale at €50 and are available from Edel Cadden, RehabCare, Breaffy Road, Castlebar.
The list of award winners is as follows
Hall of Fame: P.J. Clarke, Ballina, for his research on Mayo soldiers involved in World War One.
Michael Davitt International Award: Maureen Mellett, Coventry, for her involvement with the Coventry Mayo Association.
Gradam na Gaeilge: Sean ‘Twin’ McNamara, Achill, for his promotion of the Irish language and culture.
Outstanding Youth Sports Group: Mayo Under 12 soccer team that won the Schools Football Association of Ireland All-Ireland final.
Outstanding Youth Group: St. Gerald’s College (Castlebar) students James Hughes, Mark Balaski, Enda Mulchrone and Mark Benson who achieved the prestigious European Economics Award - Generation Euro.
Young Person of the Year: Eadaoin Ni Mhaicin for her achievements in the field of traditional music.
Mayo Awards
1. Carmel Ann Joyce, Carrobeg, Westport for her ground-breaking work in creating awareness of dyslexia.
2. Mayo Pink Ribbon which has raised €600,000 for research into breast cancer.
3. Maria Walsh, Shrule, the former Rose of Tralee.
4. Inishturk Island Community were nominated for the their courage, determination and persistence in overcoming the obstacles facing an off-shore community.
5. Anne Lynch, Midfield, Swinford, for her outstanding work with Console, the national suicide charity.
6. RPM Ireland’s Carmel Ryan, Caroline Galvin and Mary Cotter for promoting an academic teaching method that can lead to communication for verbal and non-verbal persons with autism.
7. Mayo General Hospital Volunteers for their assistance to patients at the hospital complex.
8. Yes Equality Mayo for their unrelenting courage in promoting marriage equality.
9. Louise Rodgers-Killeen, Cashel, Parke, Castlebar, a breast cancer survivor who established the Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat Club.
Special recognition award
The adjudicators announced a special recognition award for the late Michael Parsons, Castlebar (Mickey P) for a lifetime of achievement as a businessman, a loyal Mayo GAA supporter and his contribution to many charities and people in need.