Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
KERRY’S heroes and great achievers took centre stage at a gala awards ceremony in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney on Friday night.
The annual Kerry County Council and Municipal District awards were presented to teams, organisations, groups and individuals who had achieved notable success and brought distinction and honour to their communities and the county.
The awards were presented by Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Niall Kelleher, to nine county council recipients and by the respective mayor and cathaoirligh of the municipal districts to 19 other recipients.
A civic reception was also accorded to Killarney teenager, Ian O’Connell, to honour his courage and positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Mayor Niall Kelleher said that the wide array of achievements and successes were inspiring and worthy of acknowledgment and celebration by the local authority.
“We pay tribute to those who have pursued their dreams, excelled in their field, led community or voluntary groups, achieved records and new personal bests and brought glory to their teams on the field of play,” he said.
“Your stories and achievements are truly inspiring and prove again that, in Kerry, our people are out best asset. We thank you for your heroism, dedication and tenacity,” he told the recipients.
Kerry County Council Chief Executive, Moira Murrell, thanked the elected members of the council for nominating the various recipients and said the nominees showed were thoroughly deserving of their awards.
Kerry County Council awards were presented to:
- Sgt Dermot O’Connell for his creation of the Operation Páistí safety initiative
- Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society for its role in preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the county
- Irish Red Cross Kerry branch for volunteering spirit and dedication
- Kerry Academy of Dance for achieving success nationally and internationally
- Gary O’Sullivan, Special Olympics gold medal winner
- Kerry’s All-Ireland camogie winning team 2019
- St Michael’s College’s cadet volleyball team on winning the all-Ireland title 2019
- Kevin Lynch for his achievement at the European Masters Athletics
- Vincent O’Connor and Martin Guerin for their heroic rescue from drowning of John Kelleher in Listowel in 1972
Killarney Municipal District
- Killarney Scorchers Cheerleading Club
- Killarney Comhaltas dancers
- Rena Kennelly for creating the Christmas crib in St Mary’s Cathedral for 46 years
Listowel Municipal District Awards
- Ballydonoghue Comhaltas under 12 dancers
- Cian Horgan, wheelchair hurling champion 2019
- Listowel Pitch and Putt Club
- MOYA Festival, Ballybunion
Kenmare Municipal District Awards
- Rockmount Care Centre, Kilgarvan
- Mike Moriarty who rescued two tourists from drowning in Valentia
- Tara Foley, Glencar, sheepdog trials champion
- Timothy McGrath, Killorglin student for scientific creativity and ingenuity
Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District
- John Lenihan, athlete
- Pat Murphy, athlete
- Nuala Moore, sea swimmer
- Seán Mac an tSíthigh, journalist
Tralee Municipal District
- Louise Quill for her charitable work in Tanzania
- Elaine Burrows Dillane, vhannel swimmer
- Brian Walsh, for services to the community
- Francie Conway, for his work with the Christie Hennessy Festival
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