Galway is celebrating the work of some of the city's best volunteers.
The Galway City Council’s Mayor’s Awards, given every year, is the celebration of their efforts in making the city a better place.
Speaking at a gala awards ceremony at the Galmont Hotel, the Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Colette Connollym said Galway City Council was proud and delighted to honour and celebrate the many people who work quietly behind the scenes to make their communities stronger, more vibrant, often inspiring and motivating others.
“The Mayor’s Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge people who commit time and effort to make their community a better place. We all know people who despite their incredibly busy lives still find time to support neighbours, local groups and community in a very significant way. On this, the nineteenth year of the Awards, I am delighted that we can be here in person to acknowledge and celebrate true community spirit as per the long-established Irish meitheal that brings communities together.
"Of all ages and from all backgrounds, they all share one important characteristic: they give freely and generously of their time to make life better for their communities."
Despite challenging times throughout 2021 many people continued to make extraordinary efforts to continue their voluntary work. Galway City Council would like all volunteers to know their contribution is very much appreciated and that volunteering is celebrated for its inherent value to our society, helping to develop vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities.
Almost 100 individuals and groups, who were nominated across all categories received an individually designed Certificate from the Mayor in recognition of their voluntary activity in community life across the city.
The list of award winners in the various categories is as follows.
Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award: St Patrick's Primary School who are budding musicians and performers, ready to showcase their skills for charity, at all times contributing to the positive and fun environment that exists in Galway City.
Residents and Local Areas Award: The John Coogan Park Residents’ Association as a driving force in their local area for a number of years, undertaking a range of activities and initiatives to enhance the environment for the community. They are a source of inspiration for other community groups in the city, epitomising a ‘can-do’ attitude.
Community Service & Social Inclusion (Individual ) Award: Saibh Egan for her unwavering commitment and dedication to helping those in our community who need it most and for her voluntary efforts, devotion of timeand energy to people who are less fortunate, always going above and beyond making a practical difference for all.
Community Service & Social Inclusion (Group ) Award: A ccess for All who have worked tirelessly for more than two decades to ensure equal access to services in Galway City for persons of all ages. Their focus on continually improving universal access of the local built environment for all people irrespective of size, age and ability, on an equal basis with others has continually ensured an accessible City for all based on equality and diversity.
Older Person Volunteer of the Year Award: Evelyn Moran for her active membership of a wide range of community groups and organisations over many years, working tirelessly to promote the views of older people in policy development and decision making. Evelyn is as passionate as ever about her active citizenship and is a stellar example of an older person working for older people.
Sports Volunteer of the Year Award: Merlin Woods Football and Sports Club for their dedication and commitment to ensuring that all children, parents and community members involved can participate in a sport they would like to try, providing a variety of sports to cater to all needs. They welcome all through the doors of the community sports club, applying their growth mind-set, participation, education and consistency.
Children and Youth Support Award: Accompaniment Support Services for Children (A.S.S.C ) Volunteers who enable this vital support service to operate 24 hours, 365 days a year for children and their families in Galway. These volunteers give their time willing to provide accompaniment and advocacy for young people and their families at different stages. Despite the impact of the pandemic, these volunteers contributed to provide this service ensuring every child had a person there solely to support them.
Young Volunteer of the Year Award: Galway City Comhairle na nÓg for their commitment, passion and drive to make sure that young people have the medium to get their voices heard by other young people, by decision makers, and people who can influence for positive change.
Environmental Sustainability Award: Westside Community Organic Garden for making a measurable contribution to the community by showing people how to grow their own food at home in an urban setting. For working hard to be as green and sustainable as possible and for cultivating a safe place for local community volunteers to gather, connect and a place to simply be!
The Galway City Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Catherine Moore Temple for her volunteering spirit, recognition of her generosity of time, energy, devotion and infectious enthusiasm for St. Nicholas’s Church and all it offers to the people of Galway and across the world. Catherine has an abundant energy in promoting and sharing her love of St. Nicholas’s Church, which continues to be both a citadel and a sanctuary at the heart of Galway City’s spiritual, historical, community and artistic life over 700 years.
The winners were presented with a handcrafted wooden plaque, made by Galway wood turners Ambrose & Brid O’Halloran from Mayor Connolly.
Would you like unlimited FREE access to all that the Galway Advertiser has to offer? Find out more here!
