Tag Archives: Clare person of the year

A FORMER Clare Person of the Year, who was instrumental in raising funds for Clare GAA, was laid to rest at the end of last month. Seán Hegarty was a native of Carhugar, Lahinch and spent over half a century working in Dublin, heading up Hegarty Demolition, one of the country’s leading civil engineering companies. A past pupil of CBS, Ennistymon, Seán won a scholarship to University College Galway (UCG) and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1971, along with his wife Carmel, he established Hegarty Earthworks, a company specialising in industrial development, site development and road construction. In 1990, he founded Hegarty Demolition, in response to the huge growth in urban renewal, regeneration and conservation. When the redevelopment of Croke Park began in 1993, Hegarty Demolition was the contractor selected for the demolition of the Cusack Stand. Seats salvaged from the project were later donated by Seán to the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. A passionate supporter …

CLARE Person of the Year, Dr Susan Crawford took her seat on Clare County Council on Monday evening last, following her co-option to replace Senator Róisín Garvey. Dr Crawford becomes Councillor Crawford and takes the Green Party mantle on the local authority and a seat in the West Clare Municipal District. Nominating her at the monthly local authority meeting, Councillor Joe Garrihy said that amid all of her previous accolades the autism action campaigner would begin “a new journey”. “It gives me great pleasure to nominate Susan to fill Róisín Garvey’s seat,” he said. “Susan’s addition is very timely. The West Clare district makes up half of the county and Susan is coming on board at a time of lots of challenges and exciting opportunities. Having Susan join us will provide a great boost across so many areas.” Mayor of Clare, Councillor Mary Howard said she was “honoured and delighted” to second Dr Crawford’s nomination. “I took the autism awareness …

THE Clare Association in Dublin has selected 38-year-old Spanish Point hotelier John Burke as their Clare Person of the Year for 2018. He was named at a meeting of the association on Tuesday night. Last May, John made history, when he became the first Clare man to successfully climb Mount Everest. The mountaineer, who runs The Armada Hotel, made the climb to fulfil a personal dream and also to raise awareness and funds for the charity, Elevate, which he and his wife, Aoibhín Garrihy, established to promote well-being among young people. Aoibhín accompanied her husband to Nepal, where he climbed Mount Everest and, on reaching the summit, he remembered his Clare roots by planting the saffron and blue flag. Afterwards, he described the final night of the climb as hell on earth. He witnessed casualties of the mountain first-hand and could see the fear of death in the faces of other people who were making the climb with him. On his …

WELL-known local and international athlete, Willie Keane, Kilkee has been selected by the Clare Association in Dublin as its Clare Person of the Year 2016. He will be presented with his award at the association’s annual dinner dance in Dublin on January 23. Willie was to the forefront of Irish athletics for many years and between 1969 and 1980, he won numerous medals in track and field, cross country and on the road. During that time, he accumulated 56 All-Ireland medals. He also distinguished himself at international level and was always proud to wear the Irish singlet when representing the NACA at international events. As well as promoting athletics among the youth of West Clare as a member of St John’s Athletic Club, Willie is also a great GAA supporter and is president of the local St Senan’s GAA Club. Clare County Council recognised Willie’s achievements with a civic reception in 2001 and he was also inducted into the Hall …

A WELL-known personality, who has presented high-profile sports events all over the world for RTÉ will be honoured by Muintir an Chláir, the Clare Association in Dublin, early in the new year. Marty Morrissey, who has just returned from the Ireland versus Australia International Rules clash in Perth, Australia, has accepted the association’s nomination to be their Clare Person of the Year for 2015. He will be presented with his award at the association’s annual dinner dance in the Clyde Court Hotel, (the former Berkeley Court) in Ballsbridge on Saturday, January 31. A big attendance is expected. Also honoured on the same night will be Seamus Mac Mathuna, originally from Gower, Cooraclare, who will receive the association’s Hall of Fame award for 2015. For years he has been an influential figure in promoting Irish music and song and the Irish language. Born in Mallow and brought up in New York, Marty returned to Ireland with his parents to live in …