Chairperson Honours Local Role Models at Civic Awards Ceremony
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne welcomed 33 remarkable individuals and organisations to the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Friday 27 September for a special Civic Awards Ceremony.
This annual Council event serves as a platform to recognise those people who have demonstrated outstanding service to the community, made significant contributions to public life in Newry, Mourne and Down and have shown real dedication in helping local residents.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Each year we look forward to honouring the amazing people who work towards improving their communities and the lives of others across Newry, Mourne and Down. We receive a lot of nominations each year and discover more about the outstanding people in our District. It is never an easy task to choose a winner of a civic award as all nominations are for outstanding individuals.
Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne continued, “There were so many incredible stories received this year, all of them different and a special insight into how appreciated the volunteers are by the person who nominated them. I am delighted to be able to host this event at the Canal Court Hotel to highlight the major efforts made by individuals, groups and businesses who work for the betterment of the District and to thank them for their amazing contribution.”
This year’s recipients were nominated for their contribution in the following four categories: Arts and Culture, Community and Voluntary, Human Endeavour and Sport.
Amongst the beneficiaries was Margaret Morris, an avid volunteer and leader within the community in Kilkeel. Margaret has been a volunteer for Mourne Stimulus for many years and continues to manage their Charity shop now, at 86 years young.
Friends of Ward 15 won a Community and Voluntary Civic Award for their dedication to patients and service users within Downshire Hospital, Downpatrick. This year is the 50th anniversary of the unit and the Friends patient support group. Ward 15 has saved the lives of countless people over the years who have battled with their addictions. Chairperson of Friends of Ward 15, Colum Polly and devoted volunteer Jim Mageean accepted the award on behalf of the group.
Karena McGahan from St. Oliver Plunkett Youth Club, Crossmaglen was awarded a Community and Voluntary Civic Award for her leading the challenge on saving the long standing youth club from being shut down. St. Oliver Plunkett Youth Club was due to close in March 2023 due to unexpected cuts in funding from the Education Authority. With Karena’s intervention and organisation of community groups, schools and youth services to rally behind the cause the Education Authority reversed their decision.
Willow-Rose Elliott, an 11 year-old drum major who has had huge success in the past year in Pipe Band competitions. At such a young age, Willow-Rose has taken the Pipe Band Championships by storm and is an example of what our young people can achieve by getting involved in an activity they enjoy.
Darren Oldroyd, Chairman of the Drumaness Cricket Club since 2010 has been awarded the Sport category Civic Award for his unwavering effort to keep the cricket club operational and get his local community involved in the sport. Darren is passionate about doing all he can for the club and has secured funding for various programmes and for improvements to the facilities.
The Newry LGBTQ+ and Women’s group won the Civic Award in the Community and Voluntary Category, for their immense effort to bring Pride back to Newry City. After a 5 year hiatus, the group managed to secure £20,000 of Lottery funding in order to make sure the parade was a roaring success. Newry LGBTQ+ and Women’s Group work incredibly hard to ensure ensure that our Newry celebrates love, acceptance and equality.
Sean Byrne was awarded a Human Endevour Civic Award for his remarkable achievement of making his 200th platlets donation to the Northern Ireland blood transfusion service. Sean’s dedication to donating platelets not only truly inspriring but essential to those in need of life saving transfusions. The effort to travel such a distance from Newry to Belfast by train every month to save lives is a testament to his selflessness and is wholly commendable.
These are just some of the very special people that were acknowledged at the awards ceremony. All recipients, from nominated and award winners, were recognised for their positive contributions in their local communities.
Arts and Culture
Conor Sands
Darren Matthews and Lianne McCooey
Michael Mallon
Newcastle Community Cinema
Stephen Deegan
Willow-Rose Elliot
Human Endeavour
Margaret Morris
Sean Byrne
Community and Voluntary
ALPSNI
Colm and Julie Ferris
Dechomet Community Group
Dominic Quinn
Dromintee Senior Citizens Club
Friends of Ward 15
Ingrid Perry and Leslie Hammon
James Boyle
Jenny Laverty
Karena McGahon
LGBTQ+ Women’s Group Newry
Lissummon Community Association and Lissummon Mens Shed
Maureen King
SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee
Sport
Ballynahinch United Football Club
Brockagh Sheepdogs
Crossgar Youth League
Danny Whittington
Darren Oldroyd
Kilmore Rec Football Club
Listooder and District Ploughing Society
St Mochai’s Gaelic Football Club (Darragh Cross)
Tony Dobbin