This article is from page 55 of the 2012-12-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 55 JPG
TEN KILRUSH citizens were recognised for their work in the community and honoured by Kilrush Town Council through the Cissie Roughan Civic Awards.
The awards scheme began in 1993 and honours the memory of the late Cissie Roughan a former member of Kilrush Town Council and the first woman elected to the council.
This year there was a range of nominees for the civic awards, drawn from a variety of areas including community, sporting and cultural.
One of the awards was presented posthumus to young father Flan Carmody.
Mr Carmody who died in September 2012 dedicated his life and energy to working for the community
He established the west Clare kidney support group in 1999 and raised more than € 250,000, having received a transplant himself in 1998.
Again following his young son’s accident he started to fundraise for the burns unit in Crumlin Hospital and as a Clare County Council employee he took great pride each year in winning the Tidy Towns Award.
Kilrush Care of the Aged were recognised for organizing day trips and a Christmas party for the elderly of the town.
Music teacher Peig Martin received acknowledgement for her great knowledge and passion for Irish Music and organizing a Ceol na Nog for students once a month in Teach Cheoil for students.
The council paid tribute to Margaret Purtill and Peggy Cahill who in 2012 decided to renovate the New Shanakyle Graveyard and set about fundraising € 20,000. They then carried out extensive work.
Matthew Kelly dedicated his time to organising training and trips for the youth of Kilrush to Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium
He also works tirelessly organising fundraising for clubs and trains the U16 Moneypoint A.F.C – all of which was recognised when he received his award.
Anne Hayes organised a Kilrush Music Session Group and travelled to Kilrush twice a week for training, while James McMahon was honoured for his involvement with Comhaltas in Kilrush since the 70s.
He joined the new reformed Inis Cathaigh Branch in 2006 and if very influential among young members.
Fionnuala Walsh swam the English Channel – the first Clare person to do so. This was a featthe council could not ignore as they presented the annual awards.
When Martin Cahill was presented his award it was said he deserved it “as he has over the years become the face of Kilrush and is affectionately know to all as granddad, Martin is loved by all that come across him and his infectious ways, good spirit and heart of gold as well as his ability to sing have been wowing the visiting tourist that come to Kilrush for many a year.”
Former Kilrush Town Councillor Jack Fennell was described as a “true Kilrush man that lives and breathes for his town” when he was presented with his award.
Mayor of Kilrush Mairead O’Brien (Ind) said, “The Cissie Roughan nominations are a way to enable ordinary people to acknowledge friends and neighbours for their good works. We have lots of people doing great things and it’s nice for the Town Council to provide the opportunity for public recognition of the valuable works and activities and involvements.
“The thanks and acknowledgement of the community are due to you all.”