Pictured at the presentation of the Special Recognition Award at the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach Awards, won by Gena Heraty, Westport, were with sisters Kay, Margaret and Mary, accepting the award from Councillor Sean Carey, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council. PHOTOS: CONOR MCKEOWN

Humanitarian Gena Heraty feted at Mayo Cathaoirleach Awards

Caoimhin Rowland

Published: Fri 6 Mar 2026, 10:58 AM

Last updated: Fri 6 Mar 2026, 5:59 PM

Gena Heraty  has been presented with the Special Recognition Award at the annual Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach Awards 2026.

Gena has completely dedicated her life to the children of Haiti, a country known to be the poorest in the western hemisphere.

Its people, especially the children, are suffering from hunger and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis and malaria.

Power cuts are a feature of life and only a minority have access to clean drinking water.

What this means for many families is they are forced to make difficult decisions on how to spend their limited resources and often, families are forced to take a decision against any child who is handicapped.

For several years now, Gena has been running a home for mentally and physically handicapped children in the “Haitian-highlands."

Gena was born in Carrarevaugh, near Westport.

After completing her secondary education, she went on to pursue a degree in Business Studies at the University of Limerick, graduating with honours in 1991.

Gena then worked as a volunteer for Dublin Simon Community and, in June 1993, she went to Haiti and has remained there since.

She was in the national headlines on August 3 last when she was kidnapped along with seven others from an orphanage in Haiti amid a rise in violence, kidnappings and exploitation in a country falling further into gang control.

Gena, along with all those taken with her, were released on August 29 thanks to the intervention by the Department of Foreign Affairs and others.

Her video speech was met with a rousing round of applause and a well-deserved standing ovation, in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian work.

She dedicated the award to her family both in Ireland and in Haiti and to Mayo people around the world who are doing great work without receiving the recognition they deserve.

Cathaoirleach Seán Carey marked the occasion in good spirits, joking that the overwhelming number of entries this year was down to his own popularity as cathaoirleach.

His native region of Erris was well represented on the night, with Belmullet Tidy Towns picking up the Contribution to Local Biodiversity Award and Turasóireacht Phobail earning the Community Tourism Award.

In a special acknowledgement of the event's history, past Cathaoirligh from 2000 to 2025 were recognised and photographed together to open the evening's proceedings.

Full List of Award Winners:

Diaspora Awards – Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Achievement

Winner: Sr Ignatia Gavin – co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

Diaspora Awards – Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Engagement

Winner: Thomas M. Tully

Mayo Publication Awards – Publications from Community Groups

Winner: Comhrá na Sean tuismitheoirí / Grandparents' Chats

Mayo Publication Awards – Publications from Commercial Publishers

Winner: Dr. Michael M. O'Connor – County Mayo, A History of Imprisonment, Capital Punishment & Transportation – Part II: Castlebar Prison & the Bridewells of County Mayo (1835–1935)

Outstanding Contribution to Mayo Life

Winner: Bonniconlon Agricultural Show & Gymkhana

Contribution to the Arts in Mayo Award

Winner: Westival

Contribution to Community Life – Community Social Inclusion Project Award

Winner: Claremorris Ultimate Kickboxing Club

Contribution to Community Life – Community Endeavour Award

Winner: Killeen Community Council

Contribution to Local Biodiversity Award

Winner: Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead / Belmullet Tidy Towns

Contribution to Local Heritage Award

Winner: Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group