Tullamore woman 'honoured' to be Offaly's Carer of the Year

Tullamore woman Cecilia Warren, a carer for her parents who are both in their 90s, was named this week as Offaly's Carer of the Year.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent on Wednesday, Cecilia said she was "absolutely thrilled" when she received news of the award, which was announced by Family Carers Ireland in conjunction with Netwatch.

 "I was just overwhelmed when I got the call," she said. "It's a great honour to represent all of the carers in Offaly."

Cecilia lives with her parents, Frederick and Josephine, in Marian Place. She was working for the HSE when she took carer's leave to devote herself to the carer's role almost four years ago.

Family Carers Ireland said Cecilia was "an inspiration to all who know her, giving so freely of her time to the loving care of her parents.

 "Her main support is her patient partner. This is our opportunity to acknowledge the hard work that so often goes unacknowledged with the caring role and the remarkable work that Cecilia does in her capacity of carer," said the organisation when announcing the award.

 Cecilia said the role can be challenging, but she was thankful for the carer's allowance and the support she receives from Family Carers Ireland, and through a care package for her father.

"It's not an easy job. It's one that affects every part of your life and it can be challenging. I've had to make sacrifices but, having said that, I don't regret going down this road," she said.

In Laois, meanwhile, Stradbally's Louise Marie Dermody, who has three children with special needs, was named as the county's Carer of the Year.

 Both Cecilia and Louise will now go on to represent their counties at the Carer of the Year awards event which takes place in Dublin's Westin Hotel on Friday, November 22.