The Sean Moore Community Awards were presented for the tenth time on Thursday 9th June by the Deputy Lord Mayor Andrew Montague at Clanna Gael Fontenoy’s Clubhouse on Sean Moore Road. The Awards are currently sponsored by Bord Gáis.

The Awards, which are for exceptional community service, were instituted in 1988 during the Dublin Millennium celebrations, in memory of the late Sean Moore, former TD and Lord Mayor of Dublin and nominations were received from the Dublin 2, 4 and 6 areas.

During the evening, long-standing Chairperson of the awards committee Mary O’Toole announced her intention to step down. Speaking following this announcement Committee Secretary, Councillor Dermot Lacey paid tribute to Mary for her work over the last seventeen years. “In many ways Mary O’Toole was the guiding light of the Sean Moore awards, her effective diplomacy and her hard-working commitment to the community has seldom been equalled. She will be missed by all involved and we wish her all the best for the years ahead.”

Norman Behennah
Many people when they retire from work move on and forget about their old connections. However when this gentleman retired he continued to assist the elderly residents of Mount Tabor Care Centre in many ways. He regularly buys the weekend newspapers for them, he collects the pensions for those who ask and he accompanies anyone wishing to attend church on Sunday morning. He works tirelessly for the benefit of the residents and never complains.

The Bingo Committee
There are a number of ladies who have been fund-raising for twenty years. When the Ringsend National School needed their heating to be repaired and renovated they raised €25,000 towards this. These ladies give of their time and energy unstintingly in organising and running the Bingo and fund-raising for all and sundry. They are the founding members of the Bingo Committee: Miriam Murphy, Colette Moran, Geraldine Thorpe, and Ellen Dunne.

Berna O’Gorman
The work of officers on residents associations is not a rewarding one. It is time consuming and very often taken for granted. However, even after many years of service this lady always has a pleasant smile and a cheerful word and is an invaluable source of helpful information on community matters in her area.

Nan and Jimmy Griffin
The person who nominated the next recipients described them as “an amazing and very special couple.” This couple have given their time to numerous charities for the last 40 years. They help CASA, the Hospices and the Wheelchair Association as well as many other local charities. There is no doubt they have made life a whole lot better for many people.

Carmel Malone
The recipient of this award started a club for the Special Olympics in 1985. She has given hope and vision to many young people. These youngsters have gone on to represent Ireland at home and abroad. Carmel Malone held the first ever Special Olympics National Games in May at Irishtown Stadium with approximately 500 athletes taking part.

John O’Shea
An awareness of our local environment has become uppermost in the minds of the community. People realise that we all must work to preserve our planet, each in their own way. Thanks to Dublin City Council there are many drop points in the city for our recycling efforts. Each one of these needs an officer to oversee and to maintain its condition. In Londonbridge Road, John O’Shea fulfils that need and does so with great courtesy.

Laurel Hunter
This lady is due for retirement this year. During her working life she has shown great kindness, concern and practical assistance in her work, which very often have gone beyond the requirements of her position. The residents of Cambridge Court will miss Laurel Hunter and this award is a fitting tribute to her years of service.

Gerry Brannock
A community which has members willing to give their time to young people in various organisations is lucky. This gentleman has been involved in training young boys and girls in the art of rowing for many years. He has won every honour in Irish Coastal Rowing and helps maintain and repair the boats and clubhouse at Stella Maris. He has been involved in the club for over 45 years, first as an Oarsman and now as a trainer and coxain.

Andrew Keegan
Andrew has been of outstanding assistance to the people of this area. He organised the Garda bus each year to take people to Knock. He also collects donations every Christmas from his colleagues and elsewhere in order to fund the annual Christmas dinner. He is generous with his time and energy outside of his busy schedule in Donnybrook Garda Station.

Catherine Cavendish
Many years ago when Community and Residents Associations became established in towns and villages around the country they attracted many members. Some fell by the wayside, others stayed with their Associations through good times and bad. Our next award is one such person. Her love for nature and the environment has often brought her into conflict with local politicians of all persuasions but she has always remained on good terms with them all.

Linda McMahon and Catherine Gorman
Linda and Catherine of the City Housing Initiative were worthy winners of their award. Linda and Catherine have achieved something quite outstanding. They were committed to their project from the outset and worked tirelessly to achieve their goal. There are 61 families who now own beautiful homes thanks to their dedication.

Peggy Kearns and Una Henry
Bath Avenue and District Residents Association have some outstanding members on their committee. The organisers of the Sean Moore Awards would like to honour them all their hard work and dedication but this is not possible. However two of the officers of that Association have been singled out. Peggy and Una never hesitate to offer their services to carry out any task that is required, whether it is a leaflet drop or keeping their watchful eye on their neighbours. It is difficult to describe all the work undertaken by these ladies, except to say that if they ever retire it would leave a huge gap in the community.