Awards Shortlist 2023

Volunteer Ireland Awards Shortlist 2023

 Arts, Culture & Festivals 

• AWARDEE: Rhys Wallace, Spraoi Street Arts Festival Waterford & Winterval, Waterford 
• Michael Butler, Louth Volunteer Centre, Louth 
• Freda Carville and Colleen Hardy, Artisans Dundalk, Louth 

Campaigning & Activism 

• AWARDEE: Aisling Byrne and Margaret Fox Lennon, DCA Warriors Online Support Group, Dublin 
• Christine O’Mahony, Mullingar 4 All, Amnesty International, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, ESN Ireland, Westmeath Winter Pride, and Queer Library Alliance, Westmeath 
• Dave Thomas, Wicklow Pride Festival, Arklow LGBTQ+ Social Drop in Group, and The APIC Centre, Wicklow & Dublin

Children & Youth  

• AWARDEE: Dermot Moore, Scouting Ireland and Community First Responders, Wicklow 
• Sarah Ann Buday, Family Carers Ireland, Galway 
• Mary McDaid, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, Dublin

Environment & Animal Care 

• AWARDEE: Andy Cullen, Husky Rescue Ireland, Laois 

• Dónal McCormack, Community Gardens Ireland, Blessington Allotments Campaign, and Blessington & District Forum, Wicklow 
• Stephen Shanahan, Connecting Cabra, Dublin 

Health & Wellbeing  

• AWARDEE: Edward Devery, Athlone Community Radio, Westmeath 
• Diarmuid Gallagher, spunout – Ireland’s youth information and support platform, Dublin 

• Christy Gorman, Friends of the Elderly, Dublin 

Safety & Emergency Services 

• AWARDEE: Gary Coffey, Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, Kerry 
• Gary Hayes, Dun Laoghaire RNLI (lifeboat) and Dalkey Community First Responders, Dublin 

Social Inclusion & Community Support  

• AWARDEE: Brian Fagan, Brian’s Treasure Chest, Midland Simon, GOAL, and Concern, Westmeath 
• Jude Mapp, ALONE, Dublin 
• John O’Sullivan, A District Senior Citizens Holiday Programme, Dublin 

Sports & Recreation  

• AWARDEE: Peggie O’Neill, Riding for the Disabled, Dublin 
• Chloe Farrell, Special Olympics Ireland (Team Ireland) and Special Olympics Eastern Region (Swords Basketball Club), Dublin 
• Tara McLaughlin, Special Olympics Connaught, Sligo 

Volunteer Manager  

• AWARDEE: Elizabeth Morrin, Children in Hospital Ireland, Dublin 
• Allen Bobinac, Tiglin – The Lighthouse, Dublin 

• Barbara Kilbride, St Francis Hospice, Dublin 

Small Group 

• AWARDEE: Kindness Krew Homeless Group, Cork 
• 1-to-1 Child and Family Support Volunteers in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Children in Hospital Ireland, Dublin 

• The Psychological Supporter Team, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Galway 

Medium Group 

• AWARDEE: Thrive Balbriggan, Dublin 
• Irish Red Cross Portlaw Branch, Irish Red Cross, Waterford 
• Signacare Killerig Residents, Carlow 

Large Group  

• AWARDEE: In-Patient Unit Hospitality Volunteers, St Francis Hospice, Dublin 
• Jigsaw Youth Advocates, Jigsaw youth mental health charity, Nationwide
• Victim Support at Court Volunteers, V-SAC, Dublin