Unsung heroes of the parish honoured

ENNIS’ “unsung heroes” were celebrated this week at the parish’s annual ‘People of the Year Awards’.
This year’s ceremony, which took place at the Old Ground Hotel on Tuesday evening, honoured five parishioners ,with a special merit award also presented to Bishop Willie Walsh.

Receiving awards on the night in recognition of their dedication to their community were the late Patricia Gormley formerly of Dalcassian Park; Peggy Eustace, Kilrush Road; Justin O’Regan, John Paul Avenue; Jackie Brown, Ardlea Road and Sr de Montfort Bray, St Xavier’s Convent.
Fr Tom Hogan explained, “These awards are a celebration of the goodness of people. They are for the unsung heroes who work very quietly for their loved ones, neighbours and the wider community. This year we had our highest number of people nominated for awards so this was a particularly difficult year for choosing the recipients.”
He added that this year’s celebration was particularly poignant as award recipient Patricia Gormley had passed away shortly after her nomination. The award was presented to her family in her honour on the night.
The ceremony heard that her nomination had been submitted in October but sadly she passed away in December.
“It’s impossible to describe to you how Patricia devoted her life to her family in a most unselfish fashion,” the ceremony was told by MC Ciana Campbell. Patricia reared 10 children and overcame many obstacles in her life. Born with one arm, she overcame disability and she lost her son, Robert, to a brain haemorrhage in 2010. Patricia was an active member of St Francis’ ladies’ club as well as helping many local charities and being among the residents who erected the grotto in Dalcassian Park.
She was described on the night as “a truly great woman, wife, mother, grandmother carer and life-giver”.
Tulla native Peggy Eustace was also presented with an award for her dedication to promoting organ donation. Living in Ennis with her family since the ’70s, Peggy has had a life-long interest in organ transplantation. She has vivid memories of hearing of the first heart transplant carried out in Cape Town, South Africa. It was this interest that led to her involvement in the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association in 1989. The founding members of the branch were Mary Guerin, Vincent O’Halloran and Paul Whelan.
Little did she ever think that one of her family would need a transplant. Thirteen years ago in 1998, her son, Patrick, was the recipient of a donor kidney.
Peggy has served as treasurer and secretary to the Clare branch over the past 20 years. She is thankful to donor families and has organised at both national and local level the annual Mass of Remembrance for families and individuals, who have donated organs and given the gift of life.
Jackie Browne’s commitment to the community in a voluntary capacity was honoured at the ceremony. Growing up in Fergus Row, Jackie has contributed to the community throughout his working life. He was treasurer, secretary, PRO, Irish officer, chairperson and president of Éire Óg GAA Club. Jackie and Kieran Kennedy were central in the purchasing of Éire Óg field from St Flannan’s in 1976.
He has served as chairman of Ennis Parish Council and, in recent years, served on the parish finance and property committee as treasurer. He has worked over the years with the Federation of People with Disabilities, St Michael’s Pre-school was one of their projects. He was involved in Ennis Information Age Town and chaired one of the sub groups. He has served on Ennis National School boards of management. He is currently involved with the Cuan an Chláir committee, who are working to provide a daycare centre and facilities for older people in the Ennis area.
He has served on the board of Kilmaley Daycare Centre and continues to sit on interview boards for ClareCare.
He was involved in setting up a basketball club in the CYMS, now the community centre. They won the Clare County Championship in 1961. Also in the early 1960s, together with Bishop Rodgers, Tom Dillon, Brian Geoghegan and Brendan O’Donoghue, he set up the Killaloe Diocesan Welfare Bureau to assist young Irish people emigrating.
“Jackie is a content man, very generous with his time. His philosophy of life is ‘If you have time on your hands you’re better off to do something than doing nothing’,” the ceremony was told.
Justin O’Regan was the youngest award recipient aged 27, the son of John and the late Kitty O’Regan. He was commended for his dedication to caring for his mother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It happened at a critical time in Justin’s life. He had finished in the Community College and moved to the youth centre. He acknowledges the influence of the staff at the youth centre in his life, in particular Mary Reidy and Terri Considine.
Cancer was to return to Kitty two years ago and Justin took on the role of her carer, together with his sister, Andrea, and brother, Russell, their dad and extended family.
He was described on the night as “a shining example for all young people of goodness, love and care. In honouring Justin, we are also honouring his deceased mother, Kitty, who gave so much of herself to everyone.”
Sr de Montford, a member of the Mercy Sisters who has worked for 46 years as a primary school teacher was also honoured.
Sr de Montford has spent most of her teaching life in Ennis, Holy Family School and was principal for seven years, from 1973 to 1980.
“On her retirement in 2002, she took on a new role as parish sister but it really was a continuation of what she has done all her life, visiting families in the parish, chatting with people, making the connection, being there with families at times of sickness and death and visiting the prisons. Sr de Montfort sees no problems or obstacles, is blessed with a positive outlook in life. In recent times, her health has caused her concern but that’s no reason for taking things easy,” Ciana told those gathered at the ceremony.
The final presentation of the night was made to Bishop Willie Walsh who retired last year. “We want to acknowledge your work and presence here in Ennis for almost 50 years,” she commented.
The award acknowledged his work in St Flannan’s College as teacher, his work with young couples through ACCORD and his work in the parish.
“Bishop Willie, on behalf of Ennis parish and community, we salute and wish you many years of good health and fulfilled retirement,” concluded Ciana.