The Unsung Heroes

Pat Ryan has been involved with various sports groups over the years, but his particular dedication and continuous efforts to pursue the interests of Portlaoise Boxing Club has garnered him this nomination. The encouragement and devotion shown by Pat to the members of the Boxing Club in their own efforts to get the best results possible has been rewarded with much silverware for individuals and the club over the past number of years, but also the goodwill and commitment of the club members joins Pat’s pride and aim to make the club the best he knows it can be.

MJ Walsh is the youngest member of Rathdowney Community Centre Committee. (And I’m not going to tell them how old you are MJ...) Since 2009, he has given freely of his time and expertise and was instrumental in the reopening of the Community Centre He actively chairs its committee, investing in its rejuvenation as a vibrant centre for local community. His enthusiasm for this project has charged the local community and encouraged others to volunteer on jobs like painting and clean ups, which has done wonders for the spirit of involvement in Rathdowney, creating a buzz about the town and thanks to MJ’s inspiration and energy, making a community come together.  

Mary B. Culliton has been described as just amazing! Her involvement in so many organisations in Mountmellick means she mustn’t get any sleep, but maybe she doesn’t need it...
With her help, many groups and organisations have been established locally over the years - The local Credit Union, for example. There are many children and young people who have spoken of having had the benefit of her experience and expertise in Comhaltas, Scouts and Guides and Foróige. Her involvement with the ICA, the local church and hospital keeps her busy and when she finds she has some free time, she helps to organise Irish events for the county and is a member of Slieve Bloom Association. Every organisation in the local area appreciates Mary’s efforts over the years.

Maura O’Gorman is deemed to be outstanding in her contribution and the village of Clonaslee and its surrounding areas. She has worked tirelessly for many local organisations, such as Tidy Towns, the local Development Association, and Community Alert, as well as working on some county organisations such as Laois Trip. She is a friend to all and her interest in her local area never tires; she will always have a positive influence on a plan or a proposal for the community. She has been seen out at 7.00am picking up litter and one could spot her weeding at any location! She is the one that everyone in the community will turn to and who is always ready to help. People like Maura are held up as example of true community spirit, and the people of Clonaslee would agree.

Noreen Byrne is an inspiration to her community in her work and play. Her dedication to the enhancement of Ballacolla and its surrounding areas is to be applauded, as well as her work with Tidy Towns and the ICA, among others. She is happiest when working for and in her local community and at county level. She is an active member of Community Alert and has been instrumental in providing practical reassurance to older and more vulnerable people in the local community, giving them a sense of security. Noreen works diligently at county level on the Community and Heritage Forums, and more recently the Board of Laois Tourism. Her other loves of sport, heritage and gardening are noted in her involvement with many other local groups, and earning her the title locally of Unsung Hero of Ballacolla!

Michael Farrell thinks that people in Mountrath haven’t noticed his quietly going about, checking on his neighbours, daily and nightly, but they have, and they want to acknowledge his caring nature and highlight him as a brilliant example that everyone in our communities can follow. Michael will always put his own needs aside and put others first, running errands, putting out bins, checking on neighbours who may not be able to get out themselves, ensuring that everyone is safe and they are safe, in the knowledge that someone like Michael is thinking of them.

Tim Kearney’s involvement in the community of Killenard is famous locally. He has been involved with and supported projects in an active and positive way for many years, including Killenard Community Centre, the Historical Society, Tidy Towns and the local National School as well as many others. He is the go-to guy for advice and information in relation grant applications and other such forms. Tim’s dedication is recognised by the community in Killenard tonight and always, and they’re proud that he plays such a big part in community life there.

Phil Coughlan has an association of forty years with Portlaoise Credit Union and is nominated for her incredible work in originally forming the Credit Union in Portlaoise and for her constant dedication since then to its operation. Currently she volunteers as a supervisor, overseeing the smooth performance of the Credit Union in the local community. In current times, the existence of local ventures such as the Credit Union, is more than ever, so important in all our communities and to this end, the contribution originally made and still being made by Phil on a voluntary basis is to be acknowledged and praised.

Edel Shaw took her place as secretary with Laois Offaly Families for Autism in 2009 and proceeded to transform it into the professional, all embracing organisation we see today. She has been described as the instigator and motivator in all fundraising efforts, events and programmes rolled out by LOFFA in the past few years. Her passionate voluntary efforts have raised awareness and thus the organisation’s profile locally and nationally, and her wealth of experience and organised ways are shown in the information packs given to families with newly diagnosed children, along with constant contact and updates and in the smooth running of the events held to raise funds for this, one of the largest autism support groups in Ireland. Edel is described by her peers as a force to be reckoned with and always at the end of the phone.

Hugh Sheppard has given many of his years in the development and service of Durrow Development Forum and is described as the backbone of many local projects over the years. Through his active chairmanship, festivals such as the successful “Howya” and scarecrow competition, came to fruition and brought many visitors to the Durrow area over the past couple of years. He was also involved in amenity projects in Durrow, such as the children’s playground. With Hugh at the helm, a sense of community presides, with everyone working together with a common outcome in mind - the betterment of the community, not only for local business and town or county promotion, but also for the people who live there, and who volunteer to make their place a better one to live in. 

Mary White’s name comes up in every conversation uttered if you’re talking of community activity in Abbeyleix. Tidy Towns is her passion, clean streets and beautiful planting, but it’s not the only string to her bow. The Women’s Group, the Bog, the Youth Café, the Parish Employment Committee, the Heritage Company, the Parish Hall – these are just some of Mary’s membership, one of which always has some project or other that Mary is entirely immersed in! Her good influence with local people can be seen in the negotiations for better deals for the Tidy Towns materials, promotion of festivals with local community & business people and generally getting stuck in at ground level to make whatever needs to happen, just happen. It can be said that any time there’s a good news story about Abbeyleix, you can be sure that Mary has helped to make it happen. She never misses an opportunity to promote and be proud of her local community locally and nationally and has been known to give Failte Ireland a run for their money on the national airwaves!

Cormac Lally’s dedication to addressing the plight of the homeless has been described as second to none. He is synonymous with the establishment of “Simon” in the Midlands and as president of Midlands Simon, tirelessly volunteers his time, organising and participating in fundraising events for this worthy cause. His involvement in other community activities is well known throughout Abbeyleix and beyond, such the county’s longest running Senior Citizens Party and his work on the Parish committee. He is described as going about his deeds quietly and in confidence, which is how he likes to do it, getting done what needs to be done and with the gift of knowing that this will in the end, benefit others.

Tom Donoghue’s pride in the town of Stradbally has been highlighted by those who nominated him. And accompanying this sense of pride is a hard working, committed attitude that carries out to completion any task or project which comes to hand. In one such project in Stradbally, Tom’s work on the committee for installing the adult gym pieces, showed his persistence in creating a harmonious environment in which everyone could work. It also showed his attention to detail and his work ethic which is second to none. His ability to promote the project and the town in such a positive light, showed not only his pride in the finished product but his pride in Stradbally in general. This shows true in all projects and community activities Tom is involved with, ultimately demonstating his steadfast commitment to his local community.

Sr. Mary O’Grady moved to O’Moore Place in Portlaoise in 1995 and set her sights on re-opening the childcare services that were previously in existence in the estate. Through her commitment, negotiation and genuine hard work, a community childcare facility was opened in O’Moore Place. The entire service of childcare in this part of the community is attributed to the dedication of Sr. Mary and her work with the residents of O’Moore Place. She has for the past 17 years, worked closely with them, offering guidance to families in need and helping anyone seeking support in every way she can. Sr. Mary gave this part of the community a chance by offering deprived children a place outside the home where they are nurtured and given attention and care. By making each child feel valued, regardless of their circumstances, they will shine and become the future valuable members of our community. She has highlighted the issues faced by communities such as this one in which she has worked and still works voluntarily, and she has ensured that these issues are being dealt with in a respectful manner. Sr. Mary is an example of all that can be achieved through tender dedication and kindness.

Paul Davis has been described as an icon in the community of Ballylinan for his commitment and availability when it came to the local Community Hall. A hub activity for local events, Paul was always on hand to open and close up and to help out in any way he could at events, to ensure everything ran smoothly. There was never any doubt as to how to open the hall or who was responsible for its operation as Paul was the man with the constant, gentle, attention to detail manner, who just had be called and he would come.

John Dowling has tackled adversities in his life and maintains his ongoing commitment his work in the local community in Mountmellick and beyond. An active member of Mountmellick Pioneer Centre and President of the local Pioneer Association, John is involved in this regard at provincial and national level. He is a founder member of the Penny Bank, a voluntary saving scheme in Mountmellick used by many in the community and he works tirelessly on the Parish Committee. He can also be found working on the upkeep of the Ivy Cemetery and is active on its committee. He is described as being totally dedicated in every project he’s involved in or working on, and is an example in his motivation and willingness to help others, showing to them and us, his sense of community.

Gerry Conway has been depicted as an inspirational person, who has given over 35 years to Ratheniska Comhaltas. His passing on of Irish musical traditions and skills have brought young players to All-Ireland standard time and time again and he is loved by all those he endeavours to inspire. The Ratheniska Marching is a model of Gerry’s talent in guiding something and making it  a success, which was evident at the Laois and Leinster Fleadhs and at All-Ireland level. Children from Ratheniska and beyond are schooled in the tradition that is Irish music. Gerry’s great pride is being able to pass on these assets with love and dedication to our future generations, with the joy of knowing that traditions and talents will be passed on in their future also.

Paddy Lowry is a founder member of the Slieve Bloom Association and has been involved with them for almost 4 decades. His involvement in many local activities, such as Comhaltas, story telling, historical society all have a common thread running through them – his love for Irish culture and heritage, and his dedication to its preservation. Paddy’s book on local history will soon be published and although in his nineties, he shows no signs of stopping yet! His peers have called him an inspiration, for having created an awareness of the natural beauty of the SLieve Blooms and his active promotion of them through local and national media.