Nominate someone who is the lifeblood of your community for TPOTY award
By Mary Dennehy
TALLAGHT’s resident vampire Paddy Drac has invited people to take a bite out of this year’s Tallaght Person of the Year awards and nominate someone who is the lifeblood of their community – before the deadline of this Friday, October 26.
Volunteering at charity and community events for the past 50 years, Paddy Finlay, aka Paddy Drac, was last year presented with the Special Needs and Carers award at the Tallaght Person of the Year ceremony.
Paddy Drac
Living in Bawnville, Paddy (74) was presented with the award for decades of community giving, which has seen him don his cape for a host of local and national events.
“I was delighted to win last year,” Paddy told The Echo.
“I really enjoy what I do and love volunteering but I really wasn’t expecting [to win] anything.”
Despite his favourite time of the year approaching, Paddy Drac is not letting Halloween distract him from encouraging people to get nominating.
“The awards are great in that they bring the community together and also give people a bit of recognition,” Paddy said.
“There are a lot of people volunteering and doing good in their area and we don’t even know about it.
“I’d encourage people to nominate these people and groups before the deadline [on Friday].
“Let’s recognise this good work and say thank you.”
Looking forward to the ceremony in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on Friday, November 16, Paddy said: “It’s fabulous to go to the function and I’m really looking forward.”
Nominations for Tallaght Person of the Year are open until this Friday, October 26, at 5pm.
The awards cover seven categories; Arts and Culture, Business, Sgt Callinan Community, Michael Dooley Environment, Special Needs and Carers, Philip Preston Sports and Maurice Mc Connell Youth.
The final category is the Heart of Gold, which recognises and applauds the difference a young person makes to their family or community.
Each year, the Heart of Gold category instils a sense of hope in those gathered, as the young people nominated highlight how Tallaght’s inherent sense of volunteerism and caring for others continues to transcend the generations.
Organised by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), tickets for the awards ceremony cost €40 and are on sale from The Echo box office on Thursdays and Fridays only.
To nominate online before this Friday, October 26, at 5pm visit www.tallaghtpersonawards.iepersonawards.ie
