Tullamore hospital names Colm Plunkett as Nightingale Award winner
Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore has named Colm Plunkett as the Nightingale Award winner for 2026.
Nominations for this Nightingale Award were part of this year’s International Nurses Day celebrations. It is awarded to an individual working in MRHT who has gone above and beyond what is expected of them in their day to day role and has truly made a difference.
Originally from Dublin, Colm took a unique path into nursing. At the age of 28, he emigrated to Canada, where he spent 10 years and completed his nursing training.
During his time abroad, he met and married his wife Jacqueline, and together they welcomed three daughters in Vancouver before returning home to Ireland in 2000.
In an interesting twist of fate, Colm often remarks that while he is Irish, he is a Canadian trained nurse, while his daughter Siobhán, born in Canada, trained as a nurse in Athlone and now works in the Emergency Department at MRHT. It is a proud full circle moment for the family and reflects a shared commitment to patient care.
Colm has worked in the Oncology Haematology Inpatient Unit since its establishment in 2005.
The specialised unit provides care for patients with cancer and blood disorders, particularly those experiencing complications from chemotherapy or whose condition has deteriorated due to disease progression.
While outpatient chemotherapy is primarily delivered in the Regional Oncology Haematology Day Unit ROHDU, the OHIU plays a vital role in supporting inpatients, including those newly diagnosed or requiring more intensive treatment delivered over several days.
Working full time, Colm’s shifts span across all seven days of the week, covering both day and night duty. This demanding schedule reflects his unwavering commitment to his patients and colleagues, ensuring continuity of high quality care in what is often a challenging and complex clinical environment.
Known for his calm and compassionate approach, combined with a wealth of clinical experience, Colm is highly regarded within the team. His dedication to patient centred care and his willingness to support colleagues and share his knowledge have made him an invaluable member of the OHIU since its inception.
Brendan Malone, Interim Director of Nursing at MRHT said: “Colm exemplifies the very best of nursing in MRHT. His compassion, professionalism and dedication to his patients are evident in everything he does. He is a valued member of the team who consistently goes above and beyond, providing exceptional care while supporting and inspiring his colleagues.”
Colleagues who work alongside Colm describe him as “a steady, supportive and highly skilled nurse who always makes time for both patients and staff, no matter how busy the unit becomes.”
Reflecting on her father’s influence, Siobhán Plunkett, Staff Nurse in the Emergency Department at MRHT, said: “he has been a constant inspiration to me, both professionally as a nurse and personally as his daughter. His influence continues to shape the nurse I aspire to be and I am incredibly proud to follow in his footsteps.”