The nominations have been cast, the entries read and the Connacht finalists have been decided for the Woman’s Way/John West Mum of the Year.
The three Connacht supermums are:
Bridget Costello (69 ) from Ballina
Mum of five Bridget was nominated by her daughter Maria. As if rearing five kids was not hard enough, Bridget did it for a number of years, single-handedly, while running a pub when her husband Liam was forced to return to America for work. Bridget and her husband Liam were keen supporters of the Roscommon Hospice and fundraised tirelessly for it, raising a much needed €14,000, before Liam died in 2008. Despite her own heartbreak Bridget continued to fundraise, compiling a CD of songs that had special meaning to the couple. Sales of the CD generated a further €12,000.
Jillian Moyles (34 ) Crossmolina
Not only was Jillian nominated by her sister Annette, she was also nominated by her two aunts Bridie and Norah. A mum of five, three of Jillian’s children are visually impaired due to being born with albinism. Ensuring her children were treated the same as any other child had been a constant struggle for Jillian, especially to make sure they were able to attend mainstream school with their friends. Not only is Jillian the backbone of her own family, she is also always on hand to help her extended family.
Christina McKeon (40s ) Ballintogher, Sligo
She was nominated by her 14-year-old daughter Nina, who explained how her mum is ‘the best mum’. Christina and her husband Pat have fostered more than 40 children down through the years.
The awards will take place at a gala luncheon on June 11 at the Westin Hotel.
