Shortlist for Offaly Unsung Hero award is announced

MEMBERS of the sub-committee of the Offaly Association (Dublin) under the stewardship of chairperson Liam Fleury have over the coming weeks a difficult task on their hands as they start to examine all the nomination forms that were submitted by the people of Offaly for the 2025 Person of the Year and 2025 Unsung Hero awards.

The other members of the selection committee are Ger Scully (secretary) Pat Teehan, Peter Carter (PRO) and Noel McCann.

The total number of nominees covering both awards is twenty-seven which shows the high esteem in which the awards are held.

Once again the main sponsor of the awards is Mr Noel Tynan of The Celt Bar and Lunge, Talbot Street, Dublin.

The awards will be presented at a gal function in The Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore on Saturday, April 11.

This week we publish the list of those who were nominated for the Unsung Hero award and next week we will publish the list of those who were nominated for the Person of the Year award.

UNSUNG HERO NOMINEES

PJ Wyer, Tullamore for his lifetime of service advocating for improved services for people with intellectual disabilities in the county through Offaly Mental Heath Association.

Kieran Rigney, Banagher for his volunteer work overseas in Third World countries such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

John O’Halloran, Birr for achieving an amazing record of making his 500th platelet donation to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in January.

Rev Alan Melbourne, Edenderry who is the Church of Ireland clergy man in the Edenderry Union of Parishes. He lives in Carbury and is a great community worker, visits people in their homes, in pubs, marts etc.

Bernie Ryan-Keegan, Ballinahown for going above and beyond the port of call in her role as an SNA for over twenty-five years.

Liam O’Callaghan, Tullamore for his work as a volunteer over many years with St Vincent de Paul, Tullamore and Tullamore Credit Union.

Alison Parsons, Birr for her kindly and cheerful manner when dealing with customers, especially the elderly in her role as a retail worker.

George Cunningham, Roscrea for his massive contribution to documenting the history of Offaly and his role in the community as principal of Coolderry Central School.

Johnny Butterfield, Killoughey, for his contribution to community affairs in a wide range of areas in Killoughey, Mountbolus and throughout Offay and the midlands over many decades

Gary Farrell, Rhode, for his work in building Ireland's largest scoliosis network with over 20,000 members

Kathleen Carroll, Cloghan for her role as a hard working volunteer with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Peter Lyons, Rath for his leadership role with Streetwise Volunteers who built a community centre in South Africa.

Paul Galvin, Tullamore for his tireless humanitarian work for the under-privileged and his dedication to Mary’s Meals which provides free school lunches to millions of children in Africa.

John O’Connor, Durrow for a lifetime of commitment to a large number pf organisations in his native Durrow and Tullamore including Civil Defence, St Patrick’s Day Parade committee, Durrow Hall and Graveyard committees, Tullamore Show, Suicide Awareness and many more.

Pat McBride, Edenderry for his dedication to the development of Derry Rovers FC which include the provision of a running track which is used by Edenderry Athletic Club, members of the local community and for his role in helping the development of an astro turf for the children of Churchview Heights, Greenwood Park and Fair Green in Edenderry.

Alex Dunne, Clonbullogue for his promotion of his home village and the county of Offaly through his involvement in international motor sport.

Professor Humphrey O’Connor for his dedication and commitment in his role with Offaly Hospice to the delivery of a Hospice facility in Tullamore.