Mayo People of the Year recipients for 2016 are announced
THE cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Al McDonnell, officiated at the announcement of the 2016 Mayo People of The Year Awards at a press reception this evening at Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar.
He said 14 individuals or groups will be presented with their accolades at the 24th annual gala banquet in Breaffy House Hotel, on Saturday, November 26.
The event, organised by the Mayo Rehab Group, Mayo County Council and The Connaught Telegraph, has raised in excess of €200,000 since its launch for service users of RehabCare at their headquarters in Castlebar.
The compere for the night will be Henry McGlade of Irish TV, and music will be supplied by The Brose Walsh Band.
The 2016 recipients are as follows.
Outstanding Sports Achievement Award
Nicholas Quinn, the Olympic breaststroke swimmer who represented Ireland, Mayo and Castlebar at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hall of Fame
Fr. Frank Fahey, Ballintubber Abbey
Young People of the Year Award
Mayo Girls Association Football Team
Michael Davitt International Award
Tony Hennigan, Manchester
Sports Club Award
Ballina Town Ladies Football Club
Gradam na Gaeilge Award
Séamus Ó Dubhthaigh, Aghamore
Mayo Awards
1. Eamonn Keaveney, the Claremorris teacher who broke the world record for the longest barefoot walk and raised almost €30,000 for Pieta House.
2. Newport Sea Angling Club which this year celebrate their 50th anniversary, confirming its position as one of Ireland’s oldest sea fishing clubs.
3. George Lee, Kiltimagh, the founder and musical director of the Mayo Concert Orchestra who retired from the position this month.
4. Crossmolina-Bord na Mona-ESB Commemorative Committee. a group, consisting of 10 former Bord na Mona-ESB workers, which came together in September 2009 to acknowledge the contribution made by their fellow workers over 60 years in north Mayo.
5. Chris Barnicle and group from Ballintubber which compiled the 360-page book ‘Ballintubber Families Down The Years’ - a study of Ballintubber families based on the 1911 census.
6. Richard Heraty, Castlebar, a Special Olympics volunteer since 2001
7. Janet Hinchion, Claremorris, who since 2008 has been working voluntarily in the area of prevention and elimination of child labour in Kitui, Kenya.
8. Sisters Caroline McLoughlin and Jacqui McCormack for their work with the Mayo Parkinson’s Association.