People of the year named in Lisdoonvarna

YEARS of endeavour by a well-known North Clare community activist were officially recognised at the first annual Lisdoonvarna Parish People of the Year awards in the local Pavillion Theatre on Friday last.
Joe Garrihy received a standing ovation when he received the Outstanding Achievement Award for the vision and hard work that culminated in the development of the €3.5 million North Clare Sports and Amenity Park in Lisdoonvarna. The state-of-the-art development includes a community field, playground, crèche, astro-turf facility and upgrading of the pavillion.
Having paid tribute to people in the locality for their help over the years, Mr Garrihy singled out long-serving Lisdoonvarna Fáilte director, Tom Connolly for special mention.
Over 350 people packed the pavillion to see people from Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Kilshanny honoured for their community work. All the proceeds from the event will go towards reducing the outstanding debt for the North Clare Sports and Amenity Park, which is believed to be in the region of €314,000.
Paddy Dunne and Craig Flanagan, who dressed up as two ‘bingo biddies’, provided comical entertainment midway through the event.
The winners were elected from an external independent committee from the local media. One of the organisers, Ken Flanagan from AMPM promotions said it is hoped it could become an annual event.
Mr Flanagan said the organising committee received great feedback following the event and praised everyone who helped out. The fundraising committee included Andy Gutherie, Ken Flanagan, Marie Mee, Gemma and Pat Dowling, Mary and Joe Kelly, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Pat Haugh and Peadar O’Reilly.
Sr Margaret Mary Jordan, who was previously involved in the local convent and who still teaches elocution in Lisdoonvarna Secondary School, won the Senior Citizen of the Year award.
Doolin postman, Frank Davis, who has been actively involved in the Carers’ Association and Nora Kavanagh, who is in her 104th year and still knits and reads novels, were the other two nominees.
Multi-talented Róisín Kelly, (16) Lisdoonvarna, who has excelled in music, the Young Scientists competition and various sports and also helps her brother, who has special needs, won the Young Person of the Year award.
Rian Flanagan (10), who has battled with cystic fibrosis and Niall Sweeney (9), who has shown great bravery to recover from a farm accident, were the other nominees.
Declan Stack, Lisdoonvarna, who featured on the Clare U-17 hurling team this year captured the Senior Sports star of the Year award. He beat off stiff competition from Clare Soccer Association chairman, Donie Garrihy, Doolin, who coaches Burren United and Dale Masterson, Lisdoonvarna, who plays Gaelic football with St Breckan’s, soccer with Burren United, volleyball and badminton and coaches camogie in Lisdoonvarna.
Declan hurls with Corofin, as St Breckan’s don’t have a hurling team and is one of the few players from a traditional North Clare football heartland to secure selection on a Clare underage hurling team. It is hoped he will make the Clare minor hurling panel this year.
The Team of the Year award went to the Burren United U-14 side, who showed great character to come back from 4-1 down to draw level 4-4 with Avenue United in the last game to clinch the league title. The team is coached by Donal Howley and Paudie Vaughan.
The other two nominees were Mary Immaculate girls football team, who reached the final in the secondary school competition in their first year and the St Breckan’s U-13 football team, who won the McCaw Gaelic Football Tournament in Ennistymon under the stewardship of Kieran Flanagan.
Three community awards were presented to volunteers who help out a few days a week in the Stella Maris Day Centre, Christy Hogan, Lisdoonvarna, who assists with various community activities, including bingo and Doolin Coast Guard unit chief Mattie Shannon, who paid tribute to volunteers who are on call around the clock.
St Breckan’s and Clare Gaelic football fanatic Frank Sheedy, who is in his mid-’80s, won the Hall of Fame Award Heather Crowe, Lisdoonvarna was named as the Parish Person of the Year, for her work behind the scenes with various charity groups.