Tallaght person of the year
By Mary Dennehy
THE 37th Tallaght Person of the Year Awards has been officially launched, with members of the public invited to nominate those who make a difference in their community.
Launched last Saturday in The Station at Molloy’s, Tallaght Person of the Year 2019 will be staged in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on November 16 – with double gold Youth Olympic medallist Rhasidat Adeleke revealed as the Special Guest.
Community invited to nominate unsung heroes and volunteers for the Tallaght Person of The Year Awards
The awards recognise the inherent sense of volunteerism within Tallaght, providing a platform to recognise, appreciate and applaud individuals, groups and businesses that contribute to a vibrant, progressive, inclusive and supportive community.
Run voluntarily by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), the awards also bring people together to celebrate their hometown and its many achievements and successes.
Speaking at the launch on Saturday, Liz Kennedy, the Chair of TCC and Production Manager with The Echo, said: “Tallaght Person of the Year represents a huge sense of pride for TCC and is testimony to the desire of the Tallaght community to stop, recognise and appreciate the unsung heroes who make our town the great place it is today.”
The nomination process will run from Monday, September 30, until Monday, October 28 – with people encouraged to ‘appreciate, recognise and nominate’ their unsung hero.
People can nominate under the categories of Arts and Culture, Business, Sgt Andrew Callanan Community, Heart of Gold, Michael Dooley Environment, Special Needs and Carers, Philip Preston Sports Award and the Maurice McConnell Youth Award by Monday, October 28.
This year, a new category has also been added, the Learning and Innovation Award, which is being run in partnership with TU Dublin – Tallaght Campus.
Volunteer Chair of Tallaght Community Council Liz Kennedy made a presentation to this year’s special guest Rhasidat Adeleke at the launch of Tallaght Person of The Year 2019. Rashidat was the winner of last year’s Maurice McConnell Youth Award.
This award recognises education as a key aspect to life in Tallaght, with the category open to schools, education hubs or any group or organisation learning new things to enhance their services or the skills of members.
Speaking with The Echo, Helena Doody, Head of Humanities with TU Dublin – Tallaght Campus said the award recognises excellence in education.
“The award covers anything to do with education, and it’s not just to do with formal education.
“It can be community education, men’s sheds, literacy programmes… any learning or innovation.
“It also recognises that learning is not an age thing, we are always learning.”
Tickets to the event on November 16 will go on sale on October 28, and can be purchased from the ticket box office at The Echo on Main Road, Tallaght Village.
For further details follow Tallaght Community Council on Facebook or visit www.tallaghtpersonawards.ie to nominate online from September 30.
The nine categories in the Tallaght Person of The Year Awards 2019
This year’S Tallaght Person of The Year has nine different categories to choose from.
Nominations will be accepted from Monday, September 30, until Monday, October 28 – with people encouraged to appreciate, recognise and nominate their unsung hero.
Speaking to The Echo, Liz Kennedy, the Chair of Tallaght Community Council, said: “I would like to remind people that they are not restricted to making just one nomination, an individual can nominate more than one person or group in a number of categories.”
Arts & Culture
Music, drama, literature, poetry, history, dance and all mediums of art.
Business
For all businesses, small, medium or large that show entrepreneurship, provide a quality service, create employment, support the community and add positively to
the profile of Tallaght.
Community
For individuals or groups involved in fundraising, volunteering, residents’ associations, support groups, community centres and active groups in Tallaght.
Environment
For individuals and groups who raise the profile of environmental issues, tidy towns, anti-litter activities, green projects, food producers and anyone promoting the environment.
Heart of Gold
To reward young people, aged under 18, who are positive role models, for acts of bravery, courage and determination.
Learning & Innovation
This award recognises education as a key aspect to life in Tallaght, with the category open to schools, education hubs, business start-ups or any group or organisation learning new things to enhance their services or the skills of members.
Special Needs & Carers
For those in the community who care for the needs of others whether as an individual or as part of a group.
Sport
For individuals, managers, players, teams, mentor groups who actively encourage participation in all types of sports, achieve awards in their field and/or add positively to the profile of Tallaght through sports.
Youth
For leaders, volunteers or groups who run or support youth activities or raise awareness on youth issues.
