Nominations for South Galway in inaugural mayor awards

SOUTH Galway features strongly in the shortlist for the County Mayor’s Awards 2011. Galway County Council revealed the nominations on Monday with 35 individuals, community and voluntary groups getting the nod over seven categories for the inaugural awards, which will take place next month.
Speaking at the launch of the awards, County Mayor Councillor Michael Maher said, “I am delighted to be hosting the first ever Mayor’s Awards for County Galway. When I took up the office of county mayor earlier this year, one of my priorities was to acknowledge and celebrate the great work that people and communities are involved in around the county. Over the years, the county council have shown their commitment to supporting communities through their various schemes,” he said.
“The awards will recognise community activity in areas such as sport, arts, environment and energy efficiency, community enterprise, youth, age friendly and tackling exclusion and disadvantage. Thirty-eight public nominations have also been received for a special Volunteer of the Year award. Volunteers are a huge asset to communities and it’s important their efforts are recognised,” the Mayor added. 
Among those nominated for the prestigious Volunteer of the Year award are Gort’s Sr De Lourdes Fahy; Loughrea-man Mike Feerick; Kinvara’s Clare Moroney and Elin Payne; Penny Crowther, Clarinbridge and Brenda O’Sullivan and Edna McNamara Connolly, both Ballinderreen.
Sean Mahony, a craft producer from Craughwell, is commissioning the award pieces based on the sails of the Galway Hooker.
County manager, Martina Moloney, speaking at the launch said, “As 2011 is the Year of the Craft, the county council is delighted to be supporting local craft producers and local enterprise”. 
Kinvara’s GOYA Gang are down to the final five for the sports award, recognising groups who have focused on increasing the number of people participating in sport. 
Gort Community Centre has been shortlisted for the Green award acknowledging groups that have made efforts to improve the environment or improve energy efficiency. They are up against Clarinbridge Oyster Festival Committee and three other groups for this title.
Kinvara Farmers’ Market is in the running for the Community Enterprise award, for groups who have developed enterprise initiatives in the community and in particular contributing to employment. South East Galway Integrated Rural Development is also down to the final five in this category.
The winners will be announced at the County Mayor’s Awards ceremony on November 10 in the Connemara Coast Hotel.