2008 Awards
The inaugural 2008 Ireland Involved Awards were a national success, supported by members of the government and voluntary sector and covered by the national press. Thirty volunteers were honoured at a celebration at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, with special guests that included Claire Byrne, Newstalk; Minister Pat Carey, Government Chief Whip; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Eibhlin Byrne; Marian Harkin, MEP; and Fergus Finlay, CEO Barnardos. Marie Carroll of Bayside Gymnastics was selected as Irish Volunteer of the Year for her contributions to society.
Following the Ireland Involved Awards in 2008, Marie Carroll and Volunteer Ireland attended the European Forum on Community Life and Voluntary Work. Carroll was presented in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where her work was showcased in a 5 minute film along with the work of volunteers from countries all across Europe. She was awarded the Bronze level recognition for her contribution to Irish Society and ultimately to European Society.
Volunteer of the Year
Marie Carroll, Bayside Gymnastics
Bayside Gymnastics prides itself on its integrated programme in which individuals with special needs work side by side with those.
2008 Nominees
Animals and Environment
Seamus Connor
Clean Coast Project, An Taisce – Environment Education Unit
(Category Winner)
Jeanne Lynch
Irish Seal Sanctuary
Lynn Moore
Irish Seal Sanctuary
Arts, Culture and Media
Helen Prout
Cork Youth Film Arts Group
(Category Winner)
Andrew Gibbons
SpunOut.ie
Doreen Davitt
The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children
Campaigning and Awareness Raising
Ailbhe Smyth
National Lesbian and Gay Federation
(Category Winner)
Frank Buckley
Sports Against Racism Ireland
Liz Powell & Rosaleen Molloy
Mental Health Ireland
Children and Youth
Mary Carmel O’Donoghue
The Blue Box Creative Learning Centre
(Category Winner)
Margaret Geary
Butterfly Club
Ronnie Moore
Portlaw Foroige Youth Group
Community
Brian Mooney
IRD Kiltimagh Ltd
(Category Winner)
Margaret Brown
Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch
Rose Michael
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Education and Training
Mary Nally
Third Age Foundation
(Category Winner)
Dr. Pat Coughlan
SPIRASI
Gabriella Pauls
SPIRASI
Health and Disability
Ann Lynskey
Ability West
(Category Winner)
Amanda Clifford
Limerick Citizen Advocacy Project
Marie Carroll
Bayside Gymnastics
International Development
Maureen Forrest
The Hope Foundation
(Category Winner)
Christiane O’Mahony
SUAS Educational Development
Nicky Deasy
The Nepalese Children’s Foundation
Social Work
Anthony Fizgerald
Depaul Trust
(Category Winner)
Mary Nally
Senior Help Line
Mona McMahon
Depaul Trust
Sports and Recreation
Marie Carroll
Bayside Gymnastics
(Category Winner)
Frank Buckley
Sports Against Racism Ireland
Martin Quinn
Canon Hayes Recreation Centre