Honouring Mayo's unsung heroes at home and abroad
11 September 1996
The fourth "Mayo People Of The Year" Awards were officially launched by the Government Chief Whip, Mr. Jim Higgins at a function in the Carne Golf Club, Belmullet.
In all nine awards will be presented, later in the year, to the recipients, including a special category for EMIGRANTS, the launching of which will take place in Coventry later this month.
The project is being organised by the Rehab Foundation in conjunction with AIB Bank and the Connaught Telegraph newspaper. The proceeds from the venture will go towards funding the running costs of the Rehab workshop in Castlebar where sixty workers, with special needs, are undergoing training.
Rehab run similar awards in eleven other counties as well as their National People of the Year Awards, which last year were presented by the Tanaiste, Mr. Dick Spring.
The Mayo Awards presentation will take place at a special function in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar on Friday November 15. Seven awards will be handed over to those who the adjudicators feel, are most deserving of the "Mayo" accolades.
Any person or organisation within County Mayo who, in the view of the nominating person or organisation, has made an outstanding contribution at local level may be nominated.
Such contributions may be characterised by achievement, commitment, courage, persistence and distinction.
In view of the huge numbers of emigrants who, for one reason or another, have been forced to leave our shores, the organisers feel their achievements abroad should be honoured by the handing over of two Overseas awards. In this regard it is sad to note the recent death of Fr. Joe Taaffe of Birmingham, a recipient in 1994 for his unstinting work with Irish down-and-outs.
Mayo Societies around the world have been informed of the awards and circulated with the nomination forms. The nominations for the "Overseas Award" will recognise the work an individual or group has been doing for emigrants in foreign parts.
FUNDING REHAB
Last year there was a tremendous response from abroad with Westport born, Sr. Enda Staunton, a missionary doctor in Korea and Swinford native, John Durkan of Philadelphia receiving the accolades.
The completed documents must be sent to:
The Secretary
"Awards"
Rehab Workshop
Breaffy Road
Castlebar
Co Mayo
Ireland
by Saturday October 9, 1996.
The nine recipients will be announced on Thursday October 17th., 1996. Entry forms are available from AIB Bank branches in Mayo, from the ten voluntary Rehab committees in the county or from the offices of the Connaught Telegraph in Castlebar.
The nomination papers for the Overseas Award are available from the same outlets as well as from AIB Bank branches in the UK and Mayo Societies worldwide.
Mrs. Mary Murphy, chairperson, Mayo Rehab Committee said all the proceeds from the project would go towards funding the running costs of the Rehab workshop in Castlebar where sixty workers, with special needs, are undergoing training.
She said: "The purpose of these awards is to give recognition to a broad spectrum of significant achievements which might otherwise go unrecognised.
Individual men, women or organisations may be nominated. AIB branches in Mayo were delighted to be associated with the 'People of the Year' venture, Mr. Declan Lawler AIB Branch manager Ballina with responsibility for North Mayo said Press conference.
Mr. Lawler said: "Our involvement in the "Mayo People Of The Year Awards" strongly reflects the bank's overall commitment to developing community spirit. "Through this project we are able to give due recognition to individuals, groups and organisations making significant contributions towards enriching the quality of life in Mayo.
"We are delighted to also have the opportunity to honour the achievements of our Mayo emigrants, who continue to form an integral part of the community where they have decided to settle overseas."
Mr. Lawler said there were ten AIB branches in Mayo at locations in Balla, Ballina, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Claremorris, Enniscrone, Kiltimagh, Swinford and Westport.
Two mobile units also serve West Mayo and North Mayo and in all over one hundred staff are employed by AIB.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Mr. Lawler added: "For the past four years we have worked hand- in-hand with the Rehab Foundation and the Connaught Telegraph in organising and supporting the 'People of the Year' events."The countywide support which has been forthcoming for the annual event has resulted in thousands of pounds having been raised which is used to fund the running of the Rehab workshop in Castlebar."
The Chairman of Mayo County Council, Mr. Pat McHugh said he was delighted to be associated with these very prestigious awards which were much sought after and gave due recognition to the very many people, unsung heroes who give willingly and unselfishly of their time and energy, down year after year to help people who are less fortunate than themselves in some instances or in other cases to assist communities and bring about a community spirit.
Mr. McHugh paid tribute to the two main sponsors, AIB Bank and the Connaught Telegraph. The Connaught Telegraph was the country's oldest provincial newspaper in continuous circulation and he described the AIB Bank as the "most dynamic bank in the country".
Mr. McHugh said: "Organisations such as the Connaught Telegraph and the AIB Bank are often criticised for taking from the community and not giving anything back. "These two organisations, and indeed many, many more within the county, do a tremendous amount of work and they don't get that much publicity."
He paid a special tribute to people within Mayo and people from overseas, the diaspora for the great work they were doing for their various communities. He urged communities over the next few weeks to look carefully at their own communities and if there are people there they should nominate them for these awards so that the organising committee will have as wide a selection as possible to chose from.
"These awards reflect the commitment of the two organisations and Rehab who are doing a magnificent job and we in Mayo County Council are especially grateful to Rehab for the work they do within our restaurant and canteen. It is Rehab trainees who run that operation for us and I would like to publicly thank them. It is a tribute to the trainees and the staff involved"
STEADY JOBS
Minister Jim Higgins said he was delighted to be invited to perform the launch because of the manner in which Rehab had picked up the cudgel on behalf of people requiring care and treatment and the encouragement that they give. The statistics and the record in this county speak for themselves. "All one has to do is to visit the magnificent centre at the Breaffy Road, Castlebar to see the level and the quality of the work they do."There were 80 trainees receiving top class training in a variety of skills to bring out the talent and ability that these people have that otherwise would have lain idle and dormant. This has resulted in these trainees being placed back into steady jobs, giving these people a very meaningful and full role in society.
Minister Higgins paid tribute to the volunteers who led the way and who get out and lead by example. I have seen the tremendous work that is done by the volunteers.
Minister Higgins said he was delighted that two of the awards had been set aside for overseas contributors covering emigrants. He said we could have an honours list in Mayo for the many a day to come because of the magnificent work done by the Irish diaspora overseas.
For further information contact:
Kevin BourkeRehab workshop
Castlebar
Co Mayo
Ireland
Tel: + + 353 (0) 94 21144
Tom Gillespie
Connaught Telegraph
Castlebar
Co Mayo
Ireland
Tel: + + 353 (0) 94 21711
Liz Browne/Patrick Morley
AIB Bank
Castlebar
Co Mayo
Ireland
Tel: + + 353 (0) 94 21433
Connaught Telegraph - News - September 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - September 1996
