Individuals and organisations from the local sports, arts and community sectors were honoured this evening at an event hosted by the Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.
Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, World Championship winning handballers from around the County, the head of the County Limerick Youth Choir, and the Dromcollogher & District Respite Care Centre were amongst a number of groups and individuals honoured at Limerick County Hall, Dooradoyle.
Councillor Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said the purpose of the reception was “to celebrate the achievements of numerous groups and individuals who in their own way have made a significant contribution to their local community or who have achieved considerable success in their respective field of expertise.”
He added: “As Cathaoirleach, I always look forward to occasions such as this as they give the Local Authority and its Elected Members the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions made to society by groups and individuals from throughout County Limerick.”
The first recipients of scrolls marking the occasion were handballers from various clubs around the County who won World Championship medals in recent months. They included Martina McMahon and Seamus O Carroll (Cappagh), Bernie Hennessy, (Hospital), CJ Fitzpatrick, Tom O Brien and Evan Murphy (Broadford), and Ben Walsh (Laochra Laimhne na Mhodscoile).
Cllr. Scanlan commented: “You are being given official recognition for your outstanding efforts and for having made an excellent contribution to Limerick’s longstanding, proud sporting reputation. You have represented Limerick with distinction at local and national level, and have further enhanced Limerick’s and ability to compete at the top level.”
Meanwhile, four individuals involved in the local arts scene were also honoured.
They included the Director of the County Limerick Youth Choir, Maire Keary. Cllr. Scanlan said: “Maire has been instrumental in the development of the choir which has won every major award nationally and has also received international recognition. Her passion is music and imparting that love to young people. The Choir has attained excellence because of Maire's belief in the young people under her direction and her ability to motivate them to put in tremendous effort and commitment. Through their participation, the young people have had so many opportunities for performance at home and abroad.”
In honouring Fiona Quinn who runs the County Limerick Youth Theatre, Cllr. Scanlan stated: “Fiona has the imagination and the heart to see the potential and the good in every young person she encounters. Since 2005, Fiona has tutored and actively encouraged over 300 young people in all aspects of drama and the arts in general.”
Also honoured was Mary Hartney whom the Cathaoirleach said has “given so selflessly of her time to encourage countless people around the County, with and without disabilities to participate in dance. Each year there is a clamour from post primary schools in the county to be included in the integrated dance programme with residents of Rathfredagh Cheshire Home. Mary's groundbreaking work in the area of integrated dance has now led to the development of the county's first professional integrated Dance Company 'Spoken Dance'.”
Castleconnell music promoter Tony Rogers was honoured for his contribution to classical music. According to Cllr. Scanlan: “Tony’s experience, passion and knowledge of classical music has afforded the County Arts Office and audiences in the county the opportunity to attend a series of outstanding classical concerts, based in Castleconnell for many years. Tony is held in the highest regard by musicians who will consult and defer to him with regard to a programme. His dedication and commitment has made the Castleconnell series a success, locally and nationally. He is the first port of call for any musician visiting/performing in Limerick and he will give them contacts or venue advice. And all this for the love of music.”
Four community groups were also honoured at this evening’s civic ceremony.
Commenting on the contribution of Limerick Marine Search & Rescue, Cllr. Scanlan said: “In honouring Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, the Council is recognising the contributions of the many members and volunteers that have helped underline the extremely important role played by the Unit. In doing so, we are also expressing our appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Limerick of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals who contribute to emergency response efforts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
The Irish Red Cross was also honoured for humanitarian work carried out by members for the benefit of thousands of distressed people at home and abroad. The Cathaoirleach stated: “Many people are familiar with the long tradition of service given by the Red Cross overseas. However, the organisation also carries out a tremendous amount of work at home. We have a very active Red Cross movement here in Limerick with branches in East Limerick, Limerick City, Ballyneety/Ballybricken/Bruff, Kilfinane, Shanagolden, Glin, Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Adare.”
Cllr. Scanlan proceeded to recognise the staff and management of Dromcollogher & District Respite Care Centre for their contribution to the communities of Limerick, North Cork, North Kerry and East Clare. He commented: “The story of the Centre goes back to the late 1990’s when the idea for the facility was first mooted by Seamus Stack and others at a time when no community-based respite care centre existed anywhere in the country. Since 2002, the Centre has provided care on a 24 hours, 7 days a week, 50 weeks a year basis” with the assistance of a qualified and efficient group of registered nurses, care assistants, auxiliary and administrative staff. By celebrating the Centre, the Council is recognising your valuable contribution towards helping to keep older people in their own homes and own community.”
The final recipient of a civic reception was Austin Cregan who was honoured for his contribution to the Lough Gur Group Water Scheme. “Over the past decade, Austin and other members of the local community have made considerable headway in dealing with substandard water supplies with their crown and glory coming a few years ago with the completion of the Lough Gur Group Water Scheme DBO project. This presentation also recognises the vibrant partnership approach between the group water scheme sector and Limerick County Council in implementing the rural water programme,” explained Cllr. Scanlan.
Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, World Championship winning handballers from around the County, the head of the County Limerick Youth Choir, and the Dromcollogher & District Respite Care Centre were amongst a number of groups and individuals honoured at Limerick County Hall, Dooradoyle.
Councillor Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said the purpose of the reception was “to celebrate the achievements of numerous groups and individuals who in their own way have made a significant contribution to their local community or who have achieved considerable success in their respective field of expertise.”
He added: “As Cathaoirleach, I always look forward to occasions such as this as they give the Local Authority and its Elected Members the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions made to society by groups and individuals from throughout County Limerick.”
The first recipients of scrolls marking the occasion were handballers from various clubs around the County who won World Championship medals in recent months. They included Martina McMahon and Seamus O Carroll (Cappagh), Bernie Hennessy, (Hospital), CJ Fitzpatrick, Tom O Brien and Evan Murphy (Broadford), and Ben Walsh (Laochra Laimhne na Mhodscoile).
Cllr. Scanlan commented: “You are being given official recognition for your outstanding efforts and for having made an excellent contribution to Limerick’s longstanding, proud sporting reputation. You have represented Limerick with distinction at local and national level, and have further enhanced Limerick’s and ability to compete at the top level.”
Meanwhile, four individuals involved in the local arts scene were also honoured.
They included the Director of the County Limerick Youth Choir, Maire Keary. Cllr. Scanlan said: “Maire has been instrumental in the development of the choir which has won every major award nationally and has also received international recognition. Her passion is music and imparting that love to young people. The Choir has attained excellence because of Maire's belief in the young people under her direction and her ability to motivate them to put in tremendous effort and commitment. Through their participation, the young people have had so many opportunities for performance at home and abroad.”
In honouring Fiona Quinn who runs the County Limerick Youth Theatre, Cllr. Scanlan stated: “Fiona has the imagination and the heart to see the potential and the good in every young person she encounters. Since 2005, Fiona has tutored and actively encouraged over 300 young people in all aspects of drama and the arts in general.”
Also honoured was Mary Hartney whom the Cathaoirleach said has “given so selflessly of her time to encourage countless people around the County, with and without disabilities to participate in dance. Each year there is a clamour from post primary schools in the county to be included in the integrated dance programme with residents of Rathfredagh Cheshire Home. Mary's groundbreaking work in the area of integrated dance has now led to the development of the county's first professional integrated Dance Company 'Spoken Dance'.”
Castleconnell music promoter Tony Rogers was honoured for his contribution to classical music. According to Cllr. Scanlan: “Tony’s experience, passion and knowledge of classical music has afforded the County Arts Office and audiences in the county the opportunity to attend a series of outstanding classical concerts, based in Castleconnell for many years. Tony is held in the highest regard by musicians who will consult and defer to him with regard to a programme. His dedication and commitment has made the Castleconnell series a success, locally and nationally. He is the first port of call for any musician visiting/performing in Limerick and he will give them contacts or venue advice. And all this for the love of music.”
Four community groups were also honoured at this evening’s civic ceremony.
Commenting on the contribution of Limerick Marine Search & Rescue, Cllr. Scanlan said: “In honouring Limerick Marine Search and Rescue, the Council is recognising the contributions of the many members and volunteers that have helped underline the extremely important role played by the Unit. In doing so, we are also expressing our appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Limerick of the role of all statutory bodies, volunteer organisations and individuals who contribute to emergency response efforts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
The Irish Red Cross was also honoured for humanitarian work carried out by members for the benefit of thousands of distressed people at home and abroad. The Cathaoirleach stated: “Many people are familiar with the long tradition of service given by the Red Cross overseas. However, the organisation also carries out a tremendous amount of work at home. We have a very active Red Cross movement here in Limerick with branches in East Limerick, Limerick City, Ballyneety/Ballybricken/Bruff, Kilfinane, Shanagolden, Glin, Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Adare.”
Cllr. Scanlan proceeded to recognise the staff and management of Dromcollogher & District Respite Care Centre for their contribution to the communities of Limerick, North Cork, North Kerry and East Clare. He commented: “The story of the Centre goes back to the late 1990’s when the idea for the facility was first mooted by Seamus Stack and others at a time when no community-based respite care centre existed anywhere in the country. Since 2002, the Centre has provided care on a 24 hours, 7 days a week, 50 weeks a year basis” with the assistance of a qualified and efficient group of registered nurses, care assistants, auxiliary and administrative staff. By celebrating the Centre, the Council is recognising your valuable contribution towards helping to keep older people in their own homes and own community.”
The final recipient of a civic reception was Austin Cregan who was honoured for his contribution to the Lough Gur Group Water Scheme. “Over the past decade, Austin and other members of the local community have made considerable headway in dealing with substandard water supplies with their crown and glory coming a few years ago with the completion of the Lough Gur Group Water Scheme DBO project. This presentation also recognises the vibrant partnership approach between the group water scheme sector and Limerick County Council in implementing the rural water programme,” explained Cllr. Scanlan.
