Emerging Leader Award for Mayo public representative

MAYO Independent councillor Mark Duffy has been honoured with an Ireland United States Alumni Association (IUSA) award.

The IUSA is a non-profit voluntary network of alumni of US State Department exchange programmes, including participants of Fulbright Scholarships, International Visitor Leadership Programme, J1 and the Washington Ireland Programme. The association promotes US-Irish relations and develops the next generation of leaders in that relationship.

Ballina-based Duffy, who was to the fore during President Joe Biden's visit to the town, was presented with the Emerging Alumni Leader Award for 2024 at the IUSA conference and awards ceremony in Dublin on Friday.

The IUSA described Councillor Duffy's dedication and vision as 'inspiring'.

US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, who addressed the awards, said Mark’s recent contribution to US-Ireland relations has been enormous and he was a deserving recipient.