Fifteen individuals and groups will be honoured at the 28th Mayo People of the Year Awards gala function in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, on Friday November 11. The event is organised annually by Mayo Rehab, Mayo County Council, and The Connaught Telegraph, with the funds going to the provision of services for Mayo Rehab. The function will be compered by Teresa O’Malley of Midwest Radio and Henry Mcglade of iMayo TV and music on the night will be provided by the Brose Walsh Band.
Award recipients are as follows:
Hall of Fame - Matt Farrell - community activist in Ballina.
Gradam na Gaeilge - Fr Padraig Stanton - a prolific writer through the medium of Gaeilge who has done more than his share to promote and foster the language.
Business Community Liaison Award - Thomas Duffy - of Duffy Stainless Steel and Duffy’s Costcutter Service Station - who has been providing employment and services to the people of Mayo for over 45 years.
Mayo Diaspora Award - Pennsylvania Cup Homecoming Committee. The Pennsylvania Cup was returned to Mayo after 90 years and presented to the historic Mayo team of 1932 on a USA visit.
Young Person of the Year - Mohammad Naeem, Ballinsmalla, Claremorris - who selflessly contributes to his community.
Zoe Flanagan, Castlebar - 11 years old and a fifth class student in Castlebar Primary School, Zoe has donated her hair, three times to date, to the Rapunzel Foundation which creates wigs for children.
Felix O’Hara, Castlebar - who is involved in Love Castlebar and volunteers with Castlebar Tidy Towns and is a volunteer with Mayo Autism Group.
Sports Club Award - Belmullet Swimming Club - during covid the pool itself became a lifesaver for many and an important outlet for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Mayo People of the Year 2022 - Sean Lyons - this Castlebar native is an active community worker in County Kerry, where he has served on many boards and committees.
The Cycle for Shane committee and participants - staged in memory of Shane Corrigan, who was just 23 when he died suddenly from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy in January 2018 and is buried on Achill Island. Funds raised to date stand at over £100,000.
The Mayo Recovery College - open for everyone with an interest in mental health and well-being, breaking down stigma and inspiring hope.
Fiacra Ryan, Castlebar - (21 ) is a powerful advocate for autistic and disabled people. In 2917 he took part in the RTE documentary ‘Autism and Me’ and then scripted his own documentary, filmed over eight years, called ‘Speechless’.
The team at Lough Lannagh Village, Castlebar - Gerardine and Paul Lennon and Ronan O’Neil - the village has been a wonderful ally to many community organisations - the nomination, however, stems from their outstanding response to the Ukrainian migrant crisis.
Mary Fahey, Islandeady - nominated for her unstinting service as a community psychiatric nurse for 46 years. As well as her regular job, she has travelled the county doing ASSIST courses, in her own time, to pass on tools for dealing with people on the brink of suicide.
Brian Reynolds - originally from Westmeath - but a Mayo man through and through. Brian gives his time voluntarily in helping business start-ups in the Mayo region.
