Volunteer Ireland Awards 2017
The 2017 Volunteer Ireland Awards took place on Friday 1st December. From over 500 nominations, the shortlist contained 30 volunteers, 3 groups and 3 Volunteer Managers. Sister Patrica Wall (also known as the Flying Nun) was named Christine Buckley Volunteer of the Year along with 10 category winners. Check out a snapshot of some of our nominees’ stories in the video below:
Each nominee, duo and group have a unique and inspiring story. One thing they all have in common is that they selflessly give their time to help others and help their community. See the full shortlist below and click the links to read their inspiring stories.
Volunteer Ireland Awards, Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo – 1st December 2017
Photo: James Connolly
2017 Nominees & Winners
Animals & Environment
Barbara Hogg – Irish Blue Cross, Dublin
Mary Crowley and Tricia Lynch Fleming – CSPCA Funds to the Rescue, Cork
Suzanne O’Neill – Sean Walsh Park, Dublin – CATEGORY WINNER
Arts, Culture & Media
Catherine Leonard – Le Chéile, Kildare
Edward Lynch – Lismore Dramatic Society, Waterford
Treasa Martin – Ballymun Local Community, Dublin – CATEGORY WINNER
Campaigning & Awareness Raising
Anne Marie Crean – Reclaiming Self, Cork
Kate Lehane – STEPS, Cork
Mohammed Rafique – Rohingya Council, Carlow – CATEGORY WINNER
Children & Youth
Harold Perez – Coder Dojo, Dublin
James Dempsey – Big Picture, Dublin – CATEGORY WINNER
Tina Touhy – Foróige, Mayo
Community
Patricia Lynch – Dunshaughlin Local Community, Meath – CATEGORY WINNER
Sister Patricia Wall – Slievardagh Local Community, Tipperary
Konrad Im – LGBT Cork, Cork
Health & Disability
Carole Beattie – Alzheimer’s Branch, Cavan
Keith Hyland – NCBI, Dublin
Mae Murphy – Drumkill Day Centre, Monaghan – CATEGORY WINNER
Safety and Emergency Services
Catriona McMahon and Kayla Cooley – Community Crisis Response Team, Limerick
Michael Cardiff – St. John’s Ambulance Ballyfermot, Dublin – CATEGORY WINNER
Susan O’Sullivan – St. John’s Ambulance, Cork
Social Work and Social Inclusion
Elizabeth Naughton – Ozanam House, Roscommon
George and Mary Sugrue – Chernobyl Children International, Kerry – CATEGORY WINNER
Irene Geelan – Fáilte Isteach, Sligo
Sports & Recreation
Alex Whelan – Blind Football Ireland, Dublin
Benny Grogan – W.A.T.C.H. – Walking And Tandem Cycling for Health, Louth – CATEGORY WINNER
Kathryn Keogh – Special Olympics, Wexford
Outstanding Group
Ballyphehane & Togher Community Arts & Crafts Initiative, Cork – CATEGORY WINNER
Living Well with Dementia, Dublin
St. Francis Hospice, Dublin
Volunteer Manager Special Commendation
Eithne Keily – Sligo Social Services, Sligo – CATEGORY WINNER
Fiona Gillespie – COPE Community Catering, Galway
Linda Keane – Ability West, Galway
