The countdown begins for Tallaght Person of the Year Awards
By Mary Dennehy
THE countdown is on for this year’s Tallaght Person of the Year Awards, with nominations now open.
A staple of community life, the 37th Tallaght Person of the Year will be staged in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on November 16.
Cara Davey won the Arts and Culture award last year
Double gold Youth Olympic medalist Rhasidat Adeleke was revealed as the Special Guest at the September launch of this year's event in The Station at Molloy's.
However, in order for the awards to be a success and a true reflection of Tallaght and its people, members of the public are encouraged to nominate their unsung hero.
The community-led celebration recognises all that is great about Tallaght – and the individuals, groups, organisations, sports clubs and businesses that promote and enhance community development, spirit and pride.
Run voluntarily by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), the awards also bring people together to celebrate their hometown and its many achievements.
Cara Davey from Millbrook Lawns was last year’s winner of the Arts and Culture category.
The 26-year-old secondary school teacher was nominated for her voluntary musical leadership with DAMS (Dominic’s Active Men’s Social) Vocal Ensemble, the St Dominic’s youth and folk choirs and her involvement in the Now and Then production company.
Remembering back to last year’s awards ceremony, Cara told The Echo: “I was so surprised and really didn’t expect my name to be called out.
“I was looking at the list of people nominated, there were so many deserving and amazing people up for the award [of Arts and Culture].”
Encouraging people to nominate for the 2019 awards, Cara added: “I think [Tallaght Person of the Year] is a good way to recognise the work people do in Tallaght.
“There are so many people that encourage, inspire and give up their time.
“Tallaght is a fantastic place and I don’t know of any other area that has so many people giving up their time for their community.”
Nominate!
The nomination process opened on Monday, September 30, and will close on Monday, October 28 – with people encouraged to ‘appreciate, recognise, nominate’ their unsung hero under nine categories.
People can nominate under 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.
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.
This award recognises education as a key aspect to life in Tallaght, with the category open to schools, education hubs, Men’s Sheds – basically any group or organisation learning new things to enhance their services or the skills of members.
For further details and to nominate visit www.tallaghtpersonawards.ie
TAGS Tallaght
