Community volunteers honoured with Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District awards

A team of river rescuers, volunteers who cook and deliver dinners to elderly people in their community and two people who displayed great bravery during a medical emergency were among the recipients of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Community awards last week.

Cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir MD Cllr Mark Fitzgerald presented the awards to Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue, Carrick-on-Suir Meals Assistance Services, the Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players drama group, Una Hayes and Declan Fanning and Fethard community volunteer Pamela Sweeney.

The framed certificate and a plaque depicting a hand shake were presented to the recipients at a ceremony in Drangan Community Hall on Wednesday, May 21.

The awards, hosted by Carrick-on-Suir MD councillors, shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond for their communities in the district whether through tireless voluntary work or remarkable acts of courage and determination.

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Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue was honoured for over 60 years of service its volunteers have given to the people of Carrick and surrounding areas in searching for and recovering people who have gone missing in the River Suir and other waterways.

The group was nominated for the award by Carrick Fianna Fáil Cllr Kieran Bourke.

Carrick-on-Suir Meals Assistance Services received an award for its members’ dedication in cooking and delivering wholesome dinners to mostly elderly clients in Carrick-on-Suir and surrounding communities five days a week.

Carrick-on-Suir Sinn Féin Cllr David Dunne nominated the voluntary service for the award.

Anne Williamson of Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players accepts the group's award from Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald and District Administrator Marie Cox

Fionn Mac Cumhaill Players drama group was honoured for its theatrical successes.

The award particularly recognised the group’s members for their poignant portrayal of the infamous burning of Bridget Cleary in 1895 in the short film called, Bridget.

The film premiered in Cloneen last November. Cloneen Fine Gael Cllr Mark Fitzgerald nominated the group for the award.

Declan Fanning and Una Hayes (centre) receive the award from Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald and Cllr Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan. Also in the photo are District Administrator Marie Cox (second from right), David O’Brien, (far left), who also assisted in the medical emergency, and Aidan Linnane, the man saved in the medical emergency.

Nurse Una Hayes and Declan Fanning were honoured for their “remarkable bravery” in a medical emergency in Killenaule last September where they assisted in the resuscitation of Aidan Linnane following his collapse.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital and made a full recovery.

Killenaule Labour Cllr Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan nominated them for the award.

Community volunteer Pamela Sweeney from Fethard is presented with her award by Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, Cllr Amy Goldsboro and District Administrator Marie Cox

Pamela Sweeney, who is very involved in Fethard Community Council, received the award for her “long-standing voluntary commitment to the community in Fethard.

She was nominated for the honour by Ballingarry Fianna Fáil Cllr Amy Goldsboro.

At the ceremony, MC Paul Collins of Ballywire Media introduced each award recipient through recorded interviews with their nominating councillors and interviewed them briefly on stage bringing their achievements to life for the audience.

Each conversation drew laughter, emotion and applause as Paul highlighted not just the achievements, but the stories behind them and the lasting impact of the individuals and groups on their communities.

Many of the award recipients paid tribute to their individual communities and the willingness of communities in Carrick-on-Suir and the wider Municipal District to work together.

“This is a celebration of people who give their time, energy and heart to make a difference,” said Cllr Mark Fitzgerald.

“These awards are our way of saying thank you and recognising the invaluable impact each nominee has made.”

The awards ceremony not only highlighted the individual stories behind the awards but served as a powerful reminder of the strength and generosity found within communities.

This report and photos are published on page 55 of this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.