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The twelve finalists for the County Armagh People of the Year Awards have been announced. The prestigious final takes place on Saturday 30 November at the Armagh City Hotel. Special guest for the evening is young Amber Campbell from Newry who was presented with the Female Newcomer award at the NI Country Music Awards 2024. Tickets for the event are £70. To purchase or book call 07599124888 or email armaghawards@gmail.com
Vote for your winner right up until 5pm on 30 November. To vote click on cdn.choicely.com
The event is organised by the Barney Bowl Foundation. Each vote costs €0.99 and Money raised from the voting will go to a cause or charity selected by the 2024 County Armagh Person of the Year.
The Finalists (in no particular order)
- Armagh City and District Lourdes Committee
- Bobby Brown, Bessbrook
- Aidan Crummy, Silverbridge
- Julianne Denvir, St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh
- Lily Rose Doran Watters, Killean
- Shea Griffin, Camlough
- Ernie Hawthorne, Armagh
- Karena McGahan, St. Oliver Plunkett's Youth Club, Crossmaglen
- Kieran McGeeney, Ballymacnab
- Lough Neagh Rogues, Lurgan
- Danielle Ogle, Collone
- Daniel Wiffen, Magheralin
Finalist Info
Armagh City and District Lourdes Committee has been in existence for many years. Every year they, among other things, give of their time and at a major financial cost to themselves, to bring people, who are often very ill on Pilgrimages to Lourdes, a place steeped in religious beliefs and renowned for its miracle cures. This year they also played a major role in organising the visit of St, Bernadette of Lourdes relic to St, Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh as part of the relic's first ever nationwide display. The many thousands of people that came to St. Patrick's Cathedral on the 19th of October 2024, and to other venus across the island of Ireland, shows the important role that Lourdes Committees still play in today's society.
Kieran McGeeney has dedicated most of his life to the GAA in Armagh. Originally from Mullaghbane, where he developed his love for the game with the local club, in 2002 after many years of heartbreaking sporting losses, he became the first man to lift the Sam Maguire Cup, when the Orchid County, won their first ALL Ireland title. When his playing career ended, during which he also played for Ireland, he turned his attention to team management. Firstly with Kildare, before he was tempted back to the Orchard 10 years ago. After an often Titanic journey since his return, on the 28th of July 2024 he managed his beloved County to their 2nd ALL Ireland title. The jubilant scenes that lasted for almost a month is testament to what his and his teams achievement meant to the people of County Armagh and further afield. His achievements will be hard to be surpassed.
Daniel Wiffin has well and truly put Armagh on the world stage. The 23 year old from Magheralin, and former past pupil of St. Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh, exploits in 2024 means that he will be a legend in the county for all time. Having already won numerous swimming events at European and World level, he had already achieved world class status. However it was his 2 medals, 1 Gold, 1 Bronze, that he won at the swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympics that enshrined his legendary status. His dedication and commitment to his sport is second to none and no doubt a glittering career lies ahead of him. His frank and honest approach to life makes him an Armagh person to admire and be proud of.
Karena McGahan has been part of St Oliver Plunkett's Youth Club in Crossmaglen for more than 12 years. At the end of 2022 the club was facing closure due to the fact that they had lost their Education Authority funding. The Club had become a vital part of the often forgotten community of South Armagh. Karena decided that something had to be done. She became the driving force behind the committee, the staff, and the young people of the area, as they campaigned relentlessly to have the financial decision reversed. The Educational Authority found themselves under so much pressure that they had to concede defeat and the financial decision was reversed. She is now Chairperson of St Oliver Plucknett's Youth Club, and her leadership qualities proves the old saying ' United we stand, divided we fall'. The people of South Armagh should be grateful to have someone like Karena McGahan in their midst.
Lily Rose Doran Watters is an Armagh legend. Despite having been born with Downs Syndrome and numerous other life challenging issues, Lily Rose has conquered more in her 17 years, than some of the greatest people in the world have in an entire lifetime. She spent years in hospital, had numerous heart surgeries; her parents were told that she would never walk, palliative care was even suggested. Today despite being in constant pain, she sings,she dances, she runs, she swims. She's in everything but the crib. Her smile and her attitude to life would break your heart. She is the most lovable 17 year old you will ever meet. When she was told that she was in the final 12 of the 2024 County Armagh Person of the Year she hugged the person who told her so tight that he could hardly breathe. Her mother Caroline then turned to him and said " Brian (chief organiser of County Armagh Person of the Year Awards), Brian this is like Santy bringing you the present you always wanted. We have only one daughter and she will never get married. This is her wedding. We can't thank you and the Foundation enough for giving Lily-Rose this amazing opportunity. Despite all the confusion and the setbacks, Lily-Rose will have her wedding in the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday 30th of November 2024, and everyone is invited.
Bobby Brown is a beacon of light and hope for all of us. In May of 2022, almost a year after after being misdiagnosed, Bobby and his family were informed that he had leukaemia. Despite receiving the best treatment available, Bobby continued to deteriorate, and was eventually told that his only chance of survival,was a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. A find a match for Bobby campaign was launched and in July 2023 following the discovery of a match in Germany, Bobby received a bone marrow transplant. Since then despite numerous set backs and missing out on his normal childhood, Bobby has met everything with positivity and love. Now back among his friends in P6, Bobby aged 9 is a truly inspirational young man.
Aidan Crummy might look like an ordinary man, but he is far from it. In 2024 Aidan, proud father of 6 year old Goa, along with his wife Karen set up Amazing Abilities in Silverbridge GAA Club. His dream was to create a unique place where families of people with special needs could meet and greet on a regular basis. Despite all the usual obstacles, Aidan followed his dream and Amazing Abilities has become a godsend for so many families throughout County Armagh and beyond. Every Friday evening they all meet up in Silverbridge. The families share their experiences in a warm friendly environment as their children mingle with other children that have amazing abilities. What Aidan has achieved has been remarkable; the transformation in Goa and all the other children has been immense. As the other families say, Aidan Crummy is some man for one man.
Julianne Denvir is an outstanding, passionate and dedicated educator, whose compassion during and even many years after students' time in St. Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh is beyond words. She goes over and beyond every single day to help and support the students and has been the pioneer of so many initiatives within the school community. She has often been described as the ultimate teacher and the indelible impact that she has made will last forever. A loyal colleague and a kindhearted friend to everyone, The Boys From The County Armagh and beyond are blessed to have a teacher called Julianne Denvir.
Shea Griffin joined the many people at Shane O’Neills GAA Camlough fun day to be put on the stem cell register when good friend Bobby Brown needed a stem cell donor. Shea originally was called up as a partial match for someone but a better match became available. A few months later he was called again as a perfect match for someone and went to London to do his medical. All went well and he donated his stem cells on the 9th July. Shea would encourage anyone to get on the donor register as donating is similar to giving blood and could save a life. He would have no hesitation in donating again.
Ernie Hawthorne has been a shining light in Armagh for over 75 years now. One of 14 children his garden stores and fruit shop on Scotch Street was a saviour for many. Whether you had money or not no one was turned away. A man of great faith, an elder in Redrock Church for over 40 years, a JP for the people of Armagh, Ernie epitomises all that is good from his generation. Along with Joy, his wife of 64 years, he continues to inspire the youth of today. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday, Ernie is still going strong and can often be found helping out at his son Peter's business. Happy Birthday Ernie.
Danielle Ogle is one of the most caring people you will ever meet, but for her 2024 is a year that no one would wish for. In July when the sun was shining brightly her world became a very dark place. She went to visit her 33 year old twin sister Zoe, but what she thought was going to be an enjoyable occasion, turned into her worst nightmare. She discovered that Zoe had passed away. Along with caring for her own 2 children and looking after numerous other children through her childcare business, Danielle has now become mother for Zoe's 2 children also. Her family of 4 became a family of 6 overnight. Generous to a fault, Danielle continues to support various good causes, events, and charities that she has been renowned for supporting down through the years.
Lough Neagh Rogues has played a very important part in highlighting the mental health challenges faced by many in today's world. Founded by Kerry native Seamus Higgins, now resident in Lurgan, their 21.4 mile relay North Channel swim in 2024 was a symbol of hope to those that have none. Their successful completion of the challenge was not only a symbol of hope, they also raised over £13,000 for PIPS Hope and Support, a charity focused on suicide prevention and emotional support. Lough Neagh Rogues are anything but rogues.
Note Voting closes at 5pm on November 30th 2024.
