Laois Community and Voluntary Award Unsung Hero nominee profiles 2018

A total of 21 Laois people were nominated for the Laois Unsung Hero 2018 at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards hosted by the Laois Public Participation Network and Laois County Council.

Those nominated are people who selflessly and quietly, give of their time and dedication, expecting nothing in return except the reward of improvement of life in their community. They are put forward by people in their communities.

The following are the profiles of this year's nominees beginning with the winner Carmel O'Connor.

Carmel O’Connor leads by example through her outstanding contribution to the Irish Wheelchair Association for sixteen years. In this role, she continues to be the voice of those who may not be able to speak for themselves and she is recognised as having a deeply positive impact on those she works with. A volunteer with the Special Olympics, Carmel constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty. Carmel has helped many people on a voluntary basis, through very difficult times in their lives in times when they faced life-changing situations. She is always there to advise and help people overcome huge challenges. She is an individual who makes a significant difference to others in the community.

Dorothy Delaney is a prime example of a volunteer who works hard for her community. She has revitalized Camross Active Retirement in her role as treasurer and is the backbone of her group where she commits much of her time and energy. Dorothy volunteered as a welfare officer for many years in Woking Irish Society, Surrey in the UK and has brought that caring attitude and experience to the group. In addition to organising various outings, Bingo and collections, she demonstrates and is commended for the true volunteerism she continues to show.

Lawrence Vesey has worked tirelessly with Spink Comhaltas since joining them six years ago. He has been instrumental in bringing music to both local primary schools and organisations such as Dove House, Abbeyleix Hospital and the Heritage House to name but a few.  Lawrence has helped Spink Comhaltas attain National recognition culminating in their group, “Ceoltóirí Owen Beg” representing Laois in the U18 Grupa Cheoil competition in the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in August, having qualified for the second year in a row.  Spink Comhaltas is on the map of exemplary musicians and with the commitment demonstrated by Lawrence, they will be staying firmly in the limelight.

Mick Dowling is a founder member of the Slieve Bloom Association, there isn’t a spot in the Slieve Blooms he doesn’t know or hasn’t set foot in. This passion for the local area has him involved in many community activities over the years, including the GAA, community alert, first aid, the development of walking trails and tourism guides for the area, and more recently, contributing greatly to the Laois Age Friendly Programme.  Mick also serves on the Laois Tourism Board. He was recently dubbed Mr Heritage for his wealth of knowledge which he continues to share with young and old.

Norma Rohan has been nominated for the work and dedication she has put into Co-founding Embrace farm with her husband Brian following the death of his father in a farming accident. Norma has spent her time listening, responding and being the main go-to person with Embrace Farm for families contacting them. Her empathy and kindness has shone out time after time and she has diligence and skill when organising the many events that EMBRACE Farm now holds voluntarily for its network of people.  Norma is a true hero to many people both in and outside the farming community.

Maureen Culleton founded the Sing for Joy Choir, a group in which people of all ages with physical and intellectual disabilities participate. Maureen is nominated by the group for working tirelessly as their musical director. Each individual person receives her encouragement and her help to grow and reach their potential. It is evident from her nomination that Maureen has created a very special and unique group and has made an enormous contribution to their lives.

Thomas Timmons is the chairperson of Portlaoise Cemetery Committee and Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee. He works tirelessly on the campaign to maintain and upgrade the much-needed services at Portlaoise Hospital. In addition, he devotes time and efforts to the upkeep of Portlaoise Cemetery. Thomas makes a positive impact on the community in addressing local issues, showing leadership in the community and in always striving to make a difference.

Fiona Wallis has been contributing to community life in Mountrath for over sixty years. In 1958 she was one of the founders of Mountrath Arts Group, and her love of music and the arts has led to her volunteering with other groups like the Musical Society and the Drama Society, and Parish Choir. Her invaluable assistance and encouragement have seen the recent development of Mountrath Youth Theatre. Her deep bank of knowledge combined with her gently inspiring manner is an inspiration to us all.

Catherine Burke was instrumental in the construction and development of the Playground and Amenity Park in Mountrath and is committed to its maintenance as an award-winning facility for the community. She is a volunteer with Mountrath Youth Project and is currently the secretary of Mountrath Development Association. Her can-do attitude and unique innovative thought process make her a huge asset to the local community. 

William Fitzpatrick has worked with community groups in Mountrath for thirty years. He is generous with his time and commitment and over the years has done a lot of work with St Vincent de Paul, broadened the service they provide, by securing rental premises on Main St Mountrath and leading the food donation service in the Food Cloud operation. Over the years William has been an active member of Mountrath Development Association and he is a highly respected member of the community and his work over the years has been significant.

Pat McMahon’s contribution to the community can be seen when he regularly referees competitions, advises and coaches young and upcoming snooker players as he has done for over 45 years. He also volunteers with St Fintans GAA, St Fintans Community Hall Committee, the local CE Scheme and was instrumental in the foundation of Mountrath Community Games. Pat is highly valued in the community and an inspiration to the young people of the town.

Maura Reynolds has spent 40 years working with community groups. She is currently the treasurer for Mountrath Development Association and volunteers with the St Vincent de Paul Shop daily. She also works with the local Youth Project. Her steady dependable manner combined with her great sense of humour leaves a lasting impression on those she works and volunteers with, irrespective of age.

Ann Hetherington has a remarkable knowledge of facts and figures and uses this as a volunteer in Mountrath Citizens Information Centre. For many years Ann volunteered with the local Credit Union Supervisory Committee and is a founder member of Mountrath Historical Society. Ann played a key role in organising the erection of Bishop Delaney & Quaker Graveyard Heritage Plaque at these historical sites in Mountrath She has been a driving force behind the local River Project and is a committed volunteer with Mountrath Youth Project, the Tidy Towns and Community Employment scheme. 

Jack McDonald’s development of the Facebook page “Laois People Worldwide” has reconnected old friends and relations both locally and across the world. He takes the time to research and match records, photos and articles and posts them online generating memories and discussion often reconnecting people and places.  Jack has made a hugely positive impact on the local community by giving so many people something positive to talk about and discuss online. The page membership stands at over 11,000 and the enjoyment and pleasure that this site gives to many thousands of people from the work one man cannot and be underestimated.

John Callaghan is the volunteer caretaker of the Community Centre, Parish Hall and Heritage Centre in Clonaslee. Nothing is ever too much trouble, from maintaining 110 hanging baskets and pots to getting up at 4 am to assist in the community centre at the time of the recent forest fires. John gives greatly of his time and creative talents for the improvement of the community and this can be seen in his stone spiral flower beds, bird boxes and feeders and 1000 water containers to harvest rainwater. John is the true embodiment of civic spirit volunteerism and service to the community.

Stephen Connolly can be found daily on the streets of Portlaoise with his picker and black sack removing litter and weeding flower beds. Not content with waging the war on litter by himself, he has organised groups of his friends and they go out mid-week to pick and clean surrounding areas. There is little doubt that his hard work and dedication has helped Portlaoise rise up the Tidy Towns rankings. He is a shining example of a community volunteer as he quietly and steadily fights Litter.

Bernie Kelly has given hugely of her time and energy to establish The Swan Ladies Club. She recognised a need in the community for a group to get together and express themselves, to engage and communicate with their neighbours. She was instrumental in establishing this very important social outlet. She has also helped to establish the Swan Walking Group and is very involved with the GAA also, as a mentor, jersey washer and driver to name but a few tasks. Bernie devotes herself to the community and has made huge contributions on several levels.

Sadie McCartney has been a volunteer with Foroige for 12 years. She is the centre point in the Club and when it comes to her popularity with young people, she crosses all the age boundaries in her work. Sadie works to provide a safe haven for the young people of Camross Community where they can come and hang out. She encourages people to develop themselves actively and consciously within the community and is constantly encouraging them to avail of every opportunity open to them. Her dedication is inspiring all those around here.

Paul Fetherstonhaugh served as Chairperson of the Mountrath Development Association for many years and led the group through the development of the Playground and Amenity Park, the development of the Quakers Graveyard, the erection of the Bishop Delaney Memorial and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the town. He was also highly involved with the Tidy Towns. A hands-on volunteer, Paul is always willing to devote his time skills and labour and is an asset to his community

Joe Melia’s quiet, unassuming way of ensuring the streets of Mountmellick are kept clean has not gone unnoticed locally. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, Joe is found picking up litter and sweeping before the busy town awakens to go about its business. He is out in all weather and is truly committed to keeping Mountmellick tidy and clean. He is to be commended yet again for single-handedly having a huge impact on business and the local environment and is complemented by our community and visitors alike.

Cormac Lally has long served his community since coming to Abbeyleix as a young man. He was a founder member of Abbeyleix Heritage Company, Portlaoise Rotary Club, and Laois for Investment, Laois Simon and was for 50 years, a member of the Abbeyleix Parish Employment Committee. He has successfully helped Abbeyleix receive the status of Heritage Town, having taken particular charge of restoring the Sexton’s Cottage. Now retired, Cormac was previously a GAA referee at County and Inter-County Level for 30 years. His diverse roles over the years have left an enduring positive mark not only in his local area but across the county and beyond.