Hailing the unsung heroes

Ennis’ unsung heroes will next week be deservedly recognised for their good work in the parish when they are presented with People of the Year awards.
The annual awards presentation will take place on Thursday, March 8, in the Old Ground Hotel with five local people receiving a People of the Year award from Bishop Kieran O’Reilly. A special merit award will also be presented.
This year’s recipients will be Donal Griffin, Lahinch Road; Katie Drennan, Claureen; Patrick Murphy, Circular Road; Carmel O’Grady, Childers Road and Joe Martin Tulla Road. Receiving the special merit award will be Canon Pat Taaffe.
According to Fr Tom Hogan of Ennis Parish, “Many people are working in a voluntary capacity, often unnoticed, giving of their time and energy in the service of others and enriching our community. A number of years ago the Pastoral Council decided to acknowledge their contributions and awards have been presented to worthy participants since.”
The evening will begin with a slide show presentation on the people and history of O’Connell Street, presented by Larry Brennan. The award winners’ citations outlining their good work in the community will be detailed.
Young Katie Drennan has been described as an “inspiration” to her family, friends and the wider community. Her parents Linda and Eugene were told that both she and her brother Jordan had Cystic Fibrosis when Katie was two and a half years old. At just six years of age, her parents were told she had weeks to live.
21-year-old Katie is now the spokesperson for TLC 4 CF (Tipperary, Limerick, Clare for Cystic Fibrosis). This voluntary group is about to start the building of a purpose built unit for CF patients at Limerick Regional Hospital.
Katie has appeared as a spokesperson on Winning Streak, Sky Fest Programme and various other fundraising events.
“The care, love and determination of Linda and Eugene have contributed to both Katie and Jordan and where they are today. Katie says her mother taught her the gift of determination: not to give up,” Katie’s citation for the award reads.
Also receiving an award is Paddy Murphy who, according to his citation, “Is not someone to collapse under the crosses life brings”.
Married to Olive in 1969 they have four children. Having suffered the loss of his sight and having an amputation of his left leg, both caused by diabetes, in April 2005 he set up Clare Sunset Foundation for the purpose of helping visually impaired and blind people in Clare. Over the last seven years, the Sunset Foundation has annually sponsored 30 people to Lourdes, organised outings for day trips and social nights and mid-week breaks.
The Clare Talking Social Club was developed in 2006, whereby people are contacted daily by phone. Over 160 people are contacted three times per week. 22,500 phone calls were made last year at cost of €6,000. Patrick does the largest number of contacts with Pauline Naughton and Eithne Kilcern the two other mainstays with various other volunteers.
“Patrick is 100% positive in his outlook,” his citation reads. Sunset Foundation has its office at Patrick’s home and the charity relies totally on voluntary fundraising to keep the services going. The Annual Atlantic Cycle challenge helps with the fund raising. This year, Stephen Roche will lead the field.
Award recipient Donal Griffin is synonymous with community development and pride in the town of Ennis. He was appointed as assistant manager to the Dundalk ANCO Centre and in 1978 moved to Letterkenny to manage their offices for Donegal. Returning to Ennis in 1986, he has played a major role in community development in Louth, Donegal and Clare.
He has had a life-long interest in Gaelic Games and was chairman of Ennis Faughs in the ’60s. he has made a major contribution to the development of Éire Óg. He has been a director of Ennis Sculpture initiative, Clare Youth Services, Ennis Civic Trust and Ennis Tidy Town Committee.
In 1990, Donal was one of a group of committed Ennis people who wanted to develop the site of the Old Mill on the Mill Road and so began the Ennis Civic Trust. He was chairman of Ennis Tidy Town Committee for over 15 years.
Donal has also been deeply involved in Ennis Parish. He is chairman of the Parish Finance and Property Committee and he was chairman of the fundraising committee for the restoration and refurbishment of the spire at the Cathedral.
He has given four years as chairman of Cuan an Chláir Fundraising Committee. He has also completed two terms as chairman of the board of management of Cloughleigh Primary School. His work was recognised when he was named Clareman of the Year in 2005 and received the Vodafone Passion for the World Around Us Award.
Award winner Carmel O’Grady’s formative years were in Inagh, and it was the influence of the people and families there that shaped her life. Her first job was in Our Lady’s Hospital, at that time there were over 700 patients to be cared for.
The love of Carmel’s live was Tom O’Grady and they were blessed with four boys. However, in May 2006, Carmel’s world was to change forever, Tom, who worked with Clare County Council, was involved in an accident on the construction of a new section of road near Tulla. He passed away in July of 2006.
Most of Carmel’s working life has been in catering, for a short few years in the Auburn Lodge and for 21 years in the Sherwood Inn from which she retired last year.
”Carmel has a special way with people. She is a great neighbour and community person,” explained her nomination. Carmel was involved with neighbours in establishing the Cloughleigh Residence Association in the early 1980s. She is an integral part of Cloughleigh church and is involved with Caring for Carers.
Also receiving an award is Drogheda native Joe Martin, who first came to Clare in 1983 to work with SRS in Shannon but has gone on to become synonymous with the St Vincent de Paul. He married Martina in 1993 and have four children.
It was in response to a public notice that Joe attended an information evening regarding the St Vincent de Paul Society. A special works conference was set up in 1994 and Joe went on to become chairman of the conference. This was a time of high unemployment and the conference developed a successful shop in Parnell Street. They also assisted several people in their efforts to start up their own businesses.
The problem of homelessness was another issue the conference targeted. After many years of lobbying and research, in 2009 a hostel for homeless men was opened on the Clare Road – Laurel Lodge. The hostel provides accommodation for 13 men and over the last three years has provided accommodation for over 120 homeless people.
The conference also, in conjunction with Ennis Town Council developed 12 houses for single people at Westbourne Court. Joe has been central to these developments. In recent years, due to work commitments, he has taken a backroom role. Joe had been active in St Joseph’s Church and was a member of the Connect Group there.
Receiving the special merit award will be Canon Pat Taaffe who has worked for over half his priestly life in the Parish of Ennis and, in that time, has endeared himself to both young and old.
Pat, a native of Tubber, was ordained to the priesthood in Maynooth College in 1956. Pat was appointed to the Archdiocese of Florida where he spent five years. In 1961, the late Bishop Rodgers recalled Pat to work in the parish of Doonbeg.
In 1973 he came to Ennis and would spend 17 very happy and fulfilled years there. He arrived the year major renovation works took place in the cathedral, coinciding with the new Liturgy. Pat has had a life-long interest in Liturgy and was regarded by his priests colleagues as a mentor.
He became parish administrator in 1988. Canon Taaffe was responsible for developing the Parish Newsletter and was chairperson of the Holy Family junior school board of management.
He had a short stay in Corofin, 13 years as parish priest. In 2003, Canon Pat returned to live in Cottage Gardens, Station Road.
“His wonderful disposition, his sense of fun and laughter, his love of people, his kindness and generosity, his serenity and wisdom endear him to all. Canon celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination some years ago and did not want any public celebration. He likes to do things gently and quietly. We want in a very gently and quiet way to thank you for the difference you have made to our parish and community,” his citation reads.