‘It’s just the recognition’ for people at Hero Awards
“People were saying it’s not about the winning, it’s just the recognition.”
This is according to Councillor Trevor Gilligan (FF) when speaking to The Echo about the Local Heroes presentation night held in the Tree Top Restaurant, Clondalkin on October 3.
The aim behind Local Heroes is to unearth hidden gems in the community. “We felt a lot of groups get a lot of mentions, but there are some local people who don’t get a mention and who don’t look to get a mention, who we feel should be recognised,” said Cllr Gilligan.
Overall winners, St Brid’s Unit, Peamount Hospital, whose staff work tirelessly for their patients and the community were treated to a lovely meal and drinks on the evening.
Oliver Fogarty with Cllr Gilligan and Ciara Fogarty,
Photos by
Tommy Keogh
“They deserve this night out and .. it was a pleasure to present the prize for overall winners to them,” said Cllr Gilligan.
Presentations were also made on the night to local groups Neart Le Chéile, Localize as well as eight individual winners.
The individual winners included Tommy Keogh, Round Towers GAA, tidy towns and Friends of the Camac, Leah French, manager, Knockmitten Community Centre, Collette Quinn, carer for her mother and two children and Claire Sherry, Clondalkin Animal Aid.
The other individual winners were Newlands Castle Park FC / Oliver Fogarty, Anthony Duffy, local community hero and currently with South Dublin County (SDC) partnership, Martina Dempsey, who runs events for children in the community and Clíonadh Ní Mhurchú, who goes out of her way to help individuals in the community.
Collete Quinn receives her award from Ciara Fogarty and Sarah McNamara
Cllr Gilligan was also keen to emphasise the role Ciara Fogarty played in helping to organise the Local Heroes initiative. “Ciara helped out from the start, we didn’t have an official committee, we did the work to ensure that the local heroes got to where it is now. Ciara was nominated more than once, however, instead, she agreed to get involved from the get-go. I want to thank her for her efforts,” said Cllr Gilligan.
The Clondalkin local representative also expressed huge thanks to the supporters of Local Heroes namely AIB Clondalkin, McElroy Funeral Homes and Tree Top restaurant.
Cllr Gilligan is also hopeful that there will be another Local Heroes awards night next year.