Celebration of volunteerism at Cathaoirleach Awards

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025 - 08:21

On Thursday, March 13th, 2025, at a community celebration evening hosted by Angelina Nugent in Breaffy House Resort, the winners of the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 were announced.

Mayo County Council’s civic awards, which are now in their fourth year, recognise the dedication and efforts of the many community volunteer groups at work in County Mayo, along with awards for publications, arts, tourism and environmental initiatives.

After an open public nomination and shortlisting process, groups and individual nominees were invited to the presentation evening, attended by 300 guests, which celebrated their achievements and provided a fitting platform to showcase their incredible work to a wide audience.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Hara welcomed the attendees on the evening saying: “Being the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council is an immense honour and this evening is one of the best parts of holding this role.

“It is where we get to give back and recognise the amazing work that the people of this county are doing on yearly basis. As I look out at this room, I see faces that represent the very best of our county.”

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, added: “We, at Mayo County Council, deeply appreciate the dedication and tireless effort of community groups.

“You are the driving force behind many of the positive changes we see in our county. You identify local needs, you mobilise resources, and you bring people together in a spirit of collaboration. You transform aspirations into tangible realities.

“We understand that the work you do is often done voluntarily, outside of your regular commitments, and with a deep sense of civic responsibility.”

Winners

The winners of the 2024 Cathaoirleach’s Awards were:

• Mayo Publication Awards: Publications From Commercial Publishers - Alice Kinsella and Daniel Wade – Wake of The Whale.

Pictured at the Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Hara were the winners of the Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Energy and/or Travel ) Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic (Travel Winner).

• Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Energy And/Or Travel - Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club (Energy Winner) Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic (Travel Winner).

Pictured at the Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Hara were the joint winners of the Contribution to Local Heritage & Biodiversity Awards - Contribution to Local Heritage - Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage.

• Contribution To Local Heritage and Biodiversity Awards - Contribution to Local Heritage – Joint Winners - Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage and Cong Tidy Towns.