Now is the time to nominate the unsung hero of your area

By Mary Dennehy

THERE is just one day left to nominate a person, group, club or business for recognition in this year’s Tallaght Person of the Year awards – so, log on now and nominate your unsung hero today!

Organised by the community for the community, the Tallaght Person of the Year awards are open to nominees from across all walks of life, with people encouraged to recognise that neighbour who keeps your street clean and neat, a business that gives back to its community, a sports coach who goes above and beyond in volunteering his or her time to the development of our younger generation, or a local group that provides support to residents in need.

Anybody who makes life better in Tallaght is worthy of a nomination and with only three days to go until the nomination process closes, people are invited to recognise and celebrate the volunteering efforts of those who help make Tallaght such a great place to live.

The awards, which are apolitical, contain eight categories – Arts and Culture, Business, Garda Callanan Community award, the Micheal Dooley Environment award, Special Needs and Carers, Heart of Gold, Youth and the Philip Preston Sports Awards.

In 2015, the winners included Couture Beauty on the High Street, which scooped the Business Award, Tallaght Deaf Club won in the Youth Award, Kiltipper Ramblers picked up the Environment Award and Layton Kelly from the Hope Residential Centre, who took home the Special Needs and Carers Award.

Christy Banks from the Greenhills Archery Group netted the Sports Award, Old Bawn poet Micheal J Whelan won the Arts and Culture Award, An Cosán was presented with the Community Award, while Ross Fennell from Glenview and Simon Hiney from Killinarden received the special Heart of Gold award.

And Tallaght rugby youth officer, the late Philip Preston, was hailed Tallaght Person of the Year.

According to Tallaght Community Council, which organises the event, nominations are flying in and represent a diverse selection of unsung heroes from right across the community.

This year’s Tallaght Person of the Year awards are being staged on Friday, November 11, in the Ballroom of the Red Cow Moran’s Hotel – with comedian, actor and writer Paul Tylak the guest of honour.

The nomination process is open until midnight on Saturday, October 29, and members of the public are encouraged to nominate online at www.tallaghtpersonawards.ie – where an online nomination form is now available.

Alternatively email tallaghtperson@gmail.com, message the Facebook page or contact any member of TCC.