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On Wednesday the 20th of January, the “Roscrea People Of The Year Awards” sponsored by Roscrea Credit Union celebrated its 23rd anniversary. The awards were deferred a week because of the “big freeze” earlier in the month, but thankfully there was no adverse affect on the attendance, as over three hundred and fifty people gathered in the Damer Court Hotel for Roscrea’s premier gala evening.
Roscrea Junior Comhaltas had the honour of opening the 23rd “Roscrea People” awards evening on Wednesday last. As always they put on a marvellous performance which was enjoyed by the huge crowd in attendance.
As always the honour of opening the ceremony was bestowed upon Comhaltas Ceoltóirí, Ros Cré and the young group which comprises of a whole host of up and coming young singers and musicians as well as established county, Munster and all-Ireland Champions, put on a tremendous performance.
Seamus Doran is pictured here with his family accepting a “Roscrea People Of The Year Award” from Guest of honour, Bishop Willie Walsh. Seamus received his award in recognition of his community generosity and for writing the award winning hurling anthem “The Mighty Blue & Gold”
L/RCaitrín Doran, Seamus Doran, Bishop Willie Walsh, Mixie Doran and Bridget Doran.
Kay & John Browne enjoying the Roscrea People Of The Year Awards with
Bishop Willie Wlash. John received his award for his book, Remembering Yesterday, Living Today.
Dick Conroy and Mark McLoughlin accept the award for Scoil Eoin
Wesley beck received a “Roscrea People Of The Year Award” on Wednesday last for his lifelong community spirit epitomised by his countless good neighbourly deeds.
L/R:Bishop Willie Walsh, Wesley Beck and Seamus Mullaney
(Chairman Roscrea Credit Union)
Sr Madeline Minogue and Sr Maria Brady accepts their “Roscrea People Of The Year Citations” on Wednesday last from Bishop Willie Walsh. Both Sr Brady and Sr Madeline Minogue received “Roscrea People Citations” on the occasion of the departure of the sacred heart Sisters from Roscrea, following a 167 year journey of l
ove and care in Roscrea.
Darragh Carey Kennedy won first prize in the All-Ireland Fleadh U12 Banjo Competition last August. In recognition of this great achievement, Darragh received a Roscrea People Citation on Wednesday last.
Tadhg Maher accepts his Roscrea People Citation from Bishop Willie Walsh and Seamus Mullaney (Chairman Roscrea Credit Union) Tadhg won first place in last year’s All Ireland Fleadh for “Senior Men’s Singing”
Pat Flanagan accepts a Roscrea People Citation from Bishop Willie Walsh and Seamus Mullaney (Chairman Roscrea Credit Union). Pat accepted the award on behalf of Roscrea Comhaltas who hosted a superb Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in 2009.
Ailbhe Carroll, Corville was named “Roscrea Youth Of The Year” and is pictured here on Wednesday last receiving her “Roscrea People Award” from George Cunningham and Bishop Willie Walsh.
Mayor Of North Tipperary, Denis Ryan is presented with his “Roscrea People Of The Year Award”. Denis received the award for his outstanding commitment to the community over the years.
L/R
Bishop Willie Walsh, Mayor Of north Tipperary Denis Ryan and Seamus Mullaney (Chairman Roscrea Credit Union)
Roscrea People Of The Year recipients Cian Hanamy (1st Place in last year’s All-Ireland Fleadh for singing 12-15) and Dom Laurence Walsh (Author Of Lumen Christi) are pictured here enjoying the awards ceremony on Wednesday last
L/R:
John Hanamy, Dom Laurence Walsh, Cian Hanamy and Roisín Hanamy.
One of the highlights of the awards ceremony every year is the illustrated presentation by local historian and organiser of the awards ceremony, Mr George Cunningham. This year the topic of the presentation was “Roscrea 2010 – “A lot done more to do”. The presentation focused upon many of the positive aspects of Roscrea town but the talk also raised many questions about what Roscrea needs to do in order to encourage more business growth and development in the locality.
Roscrea Comhaltas members were out in force to support this year's awards
Next on the agenda was the annual presentation of books. Since 1987 over 30,000 books have been donated by Roscrea People. Each year Roscrea Library receives significant sponsorship of a number of books. The “George Cunningham” collection for Roscrea Library now stands at over 2700 items. The collection has now been fully catalogued and is available online or as a pdf from the editor. For some years the annual donation has had to be housed at the county Library headquarters at Thurles. The challenge for the community is to develop our own Library in Roscrea so that the town can house it’s own collection. Rev. Leslie Robinson had the honour of presenting the books this year to Roscrea Library. Local schools also benefit handsomely from “Roscrea People” contributions each year. This year’s recipient for the students book collection was Coláiste Phobal. Fr Tom Corbett made the presentation. St Cronan’s Association also benefits each year from “Roscrea People Contributions”. Thanks to these contributions St Cronan’s Centres in Roscrea, Nenagh and Birr now have libraries that any organisation or training centre would be proud of. Accepting the books on behalf of St Cronans Association was Rita Moloughney. The presentation was made by Rev Brian Griffin.
In his annual address, Chairman of Roscrea Credit Union, Mr Seamus Mullaney congratulated George and “Roscrea People” for once again organsing the awards night. Seamus said that Roscrea Credit Union supported Roscrea People each year just as they support numerous clubs, societies, organisations and initiatives in the community.
The awards ceremony then took place. This year the awards were presented by Guest Of Honour, Bishop Willie Walsh, and Chairman Of Roscrea Credit Union, Mr Seamus Mullaney with assistance from Ray McCarthy, CEO, Roscrea Credit Union.
The award recipients were:
• Wesley Beck for his lifelong community spirit epitomised by his countless good neighbourly deeds.
• Scoil Eoin on the occasion of winning its Green Flag
• John Browne, Ballycleary for his book, Remembering Yesterday, Living Today.
• Seamus Doran for his award-winning Tipperary anthem, The Mighty Blue and Gold and for his community generosity.
• Mayor Denis Ryan for his outstanding commitment to our community
• Ailbhe Carroll, Corville for winning a gold medal in her age group in the European Duathlon Championships in Budapest.
• Cian Hanamy for winning first place in Men’s English, 12 – 15, at the all-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Tullamore.
Roscrea People of the Year Citations:
(for people who are already award winners and who now deserve further recognition)
• Dom Laurence Walsh, author of Lumen Christi
• Srs Minogue and Brady on the occasion of the departure of the Sacred Heart Sisters from Roscrea, following a 167 year journey of love and care in Roscrea.
• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Ros Cré for a superb hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan
• All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil winners:
Tadhg Maher –1st in Senior Men’s Singing
Darragh Carey-Kennedy – 1st in U12 Banjo
Guest Of Honour this year was Bishop Willie Walsh, a native of Roscrea. After a brief introduction by George Cunningham, Bishop Walsh said he was delighted to be in attendance. He said he enjoyed an excellent evening and he complemented the Roscrea People Committee and Roscrea Credit Union for putting together such a marvelous occasion. The Bishop emphasised the importance of “Community” and leadership within the community. He said events like the Roscrea People were instrumental in fostering stronger communities and he praised the organisation and sponsorship of what he said was a “great occasion”
Roscrea People and its editor George Cunningham inaugurated the Roscrea People Of The Year Awards in 1987. For the last twenty three years this group has continued to organise the event and have watched it flourish particularly in recent years. Over 200 people and institutions have been honoured with an Award or Citation (A citation is given to someone who received an award previously). Each recipient receives a specially designed certificate and a cut glass trophy. Well done to all the orgnisers and the award recipients.
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