Honour our heroes – The community are urged to nominate their choice for the 32nd Tallaght Person of the Year

admin October 9, 2015 11:23 am

By Mary Dennehy

THE only not-for-profit, community-based people awards in Ireland – the 32nd Tallaght Person of the Year – has been launched, and the community is encouraged to get nominating.

A celebration of Tallaght’s strong tradition of volunteering and its army of unsung heroes, the annual awards are an integral part of local life and a glowing reminder of all that is good about living and working in Dublin 24.

Run by the Tallaght Community Council [TCC], the awards were launched at an event in Madison at The Square on Thursday, an impressive spread which was sponsored by the management of Madison.

During the launch, TCC chair Tara De Buitléar encouraged members of the community to nominate their chosen hero under the categories of arts and culture, business, community, environment, heart of gold and sport – with winners to be announced at a glitzy, gala dinner in the Red Cow Pavillion on Friday, November 20.

Speaking at the launch, Ms De Buitléar emphasised the importance of the awards in recognising the great work, volunteerism and successes across the Tallaght community – alongside thanking the current Tallaght Person of the Year, Mary McLoughlin.

Mary established HOPE in Tallaght Village last year, a walk-in-service which offers support to those bereaved by suicide and also those who are feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal.

Working alongside a cluster of Tallaght parishes, St Aengus, St Dominic’s, St Mary’s Priory and St Kevin’s/St Kilian’s, Mary is facilitating a weekly drop-in centre every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm in Trustus House on Main Road, Tallaght.

She told The Echo: “The centre is called HOPE [Hold On Pain Eases] Tallaght and its aim is to offer listening support, friendship and information to people living with any mental health issue.

“Anybody feeling down is encouraged to drop in, or any family member or friend looking for help in supporting a loved one.”

There are many others like Mary who are giving their time to better their communities and promote Tallaght as the great place that it is, and the community is invited to get nominating people they know that fly the flag for Tallaght and its residents.

Nominations for the awards opened on Monday, October 5, and will run for four weeks until November 2. Nominations can be made online at www.tallaghtpersonawards.ie

Early bird tickets for the awards ceremony are also on sale for €35, and includes a four-course meal and live entertainment.

For further information on nominations or ticket sales call a TCC committee member on 085 184 0709.