Sixteen inspirational individuals from the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area were honoured at a prestigious Civic Awards Ceremony held last Friday in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry.
Oisin McCann has enjoyed success at both the Down and Ulster Fleadhanna and brought back an All-Ireland Medal from The All Ireland Fleadh in September for 15-18 whistle, Chloe Cummings won the Irish National Junior Women's Championship, Chris Cummings has participated in 45 Downhill Mountain Bike races in Ireland, UK, Austria, France and Switzerland and had 17 podium places in 17 races, Sean Ryan recently crowned the Irish Junior Open Series Champion Golfer of the Year 2016 pictured with Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Gillian Fitzpatrick and councillor Declan McAteer at the Civic Awards Ceremony.
The Awards are designed to honour individuals and organisations who in their own unique way have been wonderful ambassadors for Newry, Mourne and Down.
Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said, “I speak on behalf of the Council and the community when I say we are immensely proud of the remarkable people who are present here tonight. These awards give us the opportunity to officially thank you for your hard work and commitment. It is a privilege to be able to pay homage to you, both for your achievements and for the wonderful work you do on a voluntary basis.”
Iarla McMahon All Ireland Champion in the Under 12 Uileann Pipes at the Fleadh Cheoil nahÉireann in Co Clare 2016, Brian Donegan Silver Medalist at the World Kick Boxing Championships, Beth Preston was Crowned United Kingdom Drum Major Champion at the Stormont Estate and was placed 2nd in the World Pipe Championship held in Glasgow and runner up in the All Ireland Solo Piping Championships held at Lisburn, Shauna O'Callaghan six times All Ireland Champion and Gold Medalist at the Queens Cup in Germany and crowned Golden Girl International Boxing Champion pictured with councillors Mickey Larkin, Pete Byrne, David Taylor and Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Gillian Fitzpatrick at the Civic Award Ceremony.
Councillor Fitzpatrick continued, “We want each of you to know that you are the pride of Newry and Mourne and that your achievements do not go unrecognised. We in Council have an important role to play and I am proud of my Council’s record to date in the provision of cultural and leisure facilities as well as our financial contributions to the community and voluntary sector.
Holy Cross Accordion Junior and Senior Band Attical won the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Junior and Senior Titles in Co Clare, Kerry O'Flaherty competed in 2016 European Championships and the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and currently Northern Ireland Record Holder in the 3000m Steeplechase and 4th on the Irish Times 'All-time' list, Laura Graham N.I. and Ulster Silver medallist in this year's Belfast City Half Marathon, first Irish National Female to cross the line in this year's London Marathon and won the Women's Irish National Championship in Dublin pictured with councillor Brian Quinn and Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District council Gillian Fitzpatrick at the Awards Ceremony in Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.
This we believe will enhance and enrich the lives of our citizens and will encourage and foster the talents which are evident in our community. To all of you may I say thank you and well done. On behalf of my Council I wish each and every one of you great success and I have no doubt you will all continue to be great ambassadors for the Newry, Mourne and Down area.”
Owen Murphy now coaches with St Monica's Boxing club and had 3 Champions in the Belfast Box Cup, Owen attended the Conor McGregor Camp in Las Vegas to look after Conor Wallace and do Pad work with McGregor, Conor Wallace won his 3rd National boxing title followed by a National Intermediate title two months later and has just returned from Conor McGregor Camp in Las Vegas where he was his main sparring partner prior to the Diaz fight, Darragh Mackin a Human Rights Lawyer just won the LALY (Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year) Award for best Newcomer and became the first Irishman to win a LALY pictured with councillors Valerie Harte, Gary Stokes and Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Gillian Fitzpatrick after receiving awards at the Civic Award Ceremony.Sean O'Neill has played Bodhran since he was 5 and won many titles, recently taking home the Ulster Fleadh and brought home the Paul Phillips Memorial Trophy, Paul was his tutor and then went on to win the Senior All Ireland Bodhran title in Co. Clare, Helen Jennings within her role of Executive Trustee of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum held responsibility for the management of this regional charity, which exists to support the voice and rights of young people. Helen was the sole UK and Ireland delegate to the G(irls) 20 Summit 2015 in Istanbul, following her role as UK and Ireland Ambassador for this Global social enterprise she accepted a position on their Global Advisory Board pictured with councillor Pol Ó Gribín, Liam Hannaway Chief Executive and Gillian Fitzpatrick Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council at their Civic Awards Ceremony.
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