Civic Awards showcase local Community Champions

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: Columba O'Hare; Category: News; Published: 01 October 2024

Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne presents Lianne McCooey and Darren Matthews with a Civic Award in the Arts Awards Category for significant contributions to the community in Newry City through comedy and entertainment.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosted their annual Civic Awards ceremony at the weekend to recognise local people who have demonstrated outstanding service to the community, made significant contributions to public life in Newry, Mourne and Down and have shown real dedication in helping local residents.

Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne presents Michael Mallon with a Civic Award in the Arts Awards Category for his dedication to highlighting the history of Newry and surrounding areas.

Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne welcomed 33 remarkable individuals and organisations to the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Friday 27 September for the event.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Each year we look forward to honouring the amazing people who work towards improving their communities and the lives of others across Newry, Mourne and Down. We receive a lot of nominations each year and discover more about the outstanding people in our District. It is never an easy task to choose a winner of a civic award as all nominations are for outstanding individuals.

Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne continued, “There were so many incredible stories received this year, all of them different and a special insight into how appreciated the volunteers are by the person who nominated them. I am delighted to be able to host this event at the Canal Court Hotel to highlight the major efforts made by individuals, groups and businesses who work for the betterment of the District and to thank them for their amazing contribution.”

Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne presents SOS Daisy Hill Hospital Committee with a Civic Award in the Community And Voluntary Category for their organisation of a protest in Newry and the continuous fight in keeping Daisy Hill Hospital open.

This year’s recipients were nominated for their contribution in the following four categories: Arts and Culture, Community and Voluntary, Human Endeavour and Sport.

Amongst the beneficiaries was Margaret Morris, an avid volunteer and leader within the community in Kilkeel. Margaret has been a volunteer for Mourne Stimulus for many years and continues to manage their Charity shop now, at 86 years young.

Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne presents Brendan McKernan with a Civic Award in the Sport Category for his dedication of over 40 years to Burren Football and Social Club.

Friends of Ward 15 won a Community and Voluntary Civic Award for their dedication to patients and service users within Downshire Hospital, Downpatrick. This year is the 50th anniversary of the unit and the Friends patient support group. Ward 15 has saved the lives of countless people over the years who have battled with their addictions. Chairperson of Friends of Ward 15, Colum Polly and devoted volunteer Jim Mageean accepted the award on behalf of the group.

Karena McGahan from St. Oliver Plunkett Youth Club, Crossmaglen was awarded a Community and Voluntary Civic Award for her leading the challenge on saving the long standing youth club from being shut down. St. Oliver Plunkett Youth Club was due to close in March 2023 due to unexpected cuts in funding from the Education Authority. With Karena’s intervention and organisation of community groups, schools and youth services to rally behind the cause the Education Authority reversed their decision.

Willow-Rose Elliott, an 11 year-old drum major who has had huge success in the past year in Pipe Band competitions. At such a young age, Willow-Rose has taken the Pipe Band Championships by storm and is an example of what our young people can achieve by getting involved in an activity they enjoy.

Darren Oldroyd, Chairman of the Drumaness Cricket Club since 2010 has been awarded the Sport category Civic Award for his unwavering effort to keep the cricket club operational and get his local community involved in the sport. Darren is passionate about doing all he can for the club and has secured funding for various programmes and for improvements to the facilities.

The Newry LGBTQ+ and Women’s group won the Civic Award in the Community and Voluntary Category, for their immense effort to bring Pride back to Newry City. After a 5 year hiatus, the group managed to secure £20,000 of Lottery funding in order to make sure the parade was a roaring success. Newry LGBTQ+ and Women’s Group work incredibly hard to ensure ensure that Newry City celebrates love, acceptance and equality.

Sean Byrne was awarded a Human Endevour Civic Award for his remarkable achievement of making his 200th platlets donation to the Northern Ireland blood transfusion service. Sean’s dedication to donating platelets not only truly inspriring but essential to those in need of life saving transfusions. The effort to travel such a distance from Newry to Belfast by train every month to save lives is a testament to his selflessness and is wholly commendable.

These are just some of the very special people that were acknowledged at the awards ceremony. All recipients, from nominated and award winners, were recognised for their positive contributions in their local communities.

Arts and Culture

Conor Sands

Darren Matthews and Lianne McCooey

Michael Mallon

Newcastle Community Cinema

Stephen Deegan

Willow-Rose Elliot

Human Endeavour

Margaret Morris

Sean Byrne

Community and Voluntary

ALPSNI