MORE than 150 nominees were recognised at last Friday’s Tallaght Person of the Year, and in case you missed The Echo’s live coverage on Twitter and Instagram, here’s a complete list of winners and nominees!
Organised by Tallaght Community Council, the awards are a snapshot of the vibrant, progressive and resilient Tallaght community – which has, since the first families moved here in the late sixties, grown into a community developed and driven by its people.
There’s full coverage and pictures of the awards, which took place in the Red Cow Moran Hotel on November 16, in this week’s Echo…
TALLAGHT PERSON OF THE YEAR
2018 ROLL OF HONOUR
OVERALL TALLAGHT PERSON OF THE YEAR 2017
Gar Tyrrell – Springfield
Gar does an incredible job as climate action officer promoting climate actions, running environmental programmes in schools and workshops. Gar promotes anti-litter in our community and he participated in all the processes to obtain the green flag at Sean Walsh Memorial Park.
MERIT AWARDS:
Tommy Gilson – for his work with JADD, supporting families with addiction issues for 20 years.
Tom Kelly – in recognition of his many sponsored walks in memory of his daughter Leah.
Tallaght Easter Chicks – for their outstanding fundraising over the past 13 years for Tallaght Hospital.
John Boylan – in recognition of his dedication in creating Tallaght’s unique urban farm over 7 years.
Wladek Gaj – for his work as a volunteer with Dodder Action.
Luke Henderson – for an outstanding act of bravery.
ARTS AND CULTURE:
Cara Davey – Millbrook
Cara has been involved with the youth choir and adult choir for approx. 8 years as a leader. She continues to bring new events to their calendar showcasing the strengths of the young people.
JOINT BUSINESS AWARD:
Lidl – Fortunestown
Lidl has been part of the Tallaght community for at least a decade, especially in Fortunestown and the surrounding areas. They always have friendly staff who welcome the locals.
JOINT BUSINESS AWARD:
Krafty Kidz – Saggart
Having experienced the challenges of raising children while holding down full-time jobs, these entrepreneurial Old Bawn sisters, Jennifer Farrell and Susan Adams, decided to set up their own business, Krafty Kidz breakfast and afterschool club.
SGT. ANDREW CALLANAN COMMUNITY AWARD:
Eamonn White – Fettercairn
Eamonn is the project manager of Swam Family Support, which began in 2000. Swan was set up to support not only the individual affected by drug or alcohol addiction, but the family as a whole, including children.
HEART OF GOLD AWARDS:
Jamie Birchall – Glenview
Jamie, 5, is a junior volunteer with Sensory Fun with Friends. Jamie shows great love and understanding to his brother Christopher who has Down Syndrome, Autism and a moderate intellectual disability.
Jodie Darcy – Killinarden
Jodie is 7 years old. Her brother Glenn is non-verbal, 15 years old and autistic. Jodie is part of a group named Sensory Fun with Friends. She has a great understanding of autism and special needs.
Katie Black – Jobstown
Katie is an anti-bullying warrior. She is helping so many kids from St. Mark’s Community School, and her past school St. Anne’s in Fettercairn with how to beat and stop bullying.
Jacob Garner – Springfield
7 year old Jacob and his granddad go out to a nearby green space to pick up all the rubbish that is discarded. When they walk to school, he wants to pick up any rubbish he sees and asks why people dump there.
SPECIAL NEEDS AND CARERS AWARD:
Sensory Fund with Friends – Tallaght
Sensory Fun with Friends, is a non-profit voluntary parent-led group. The group aims to provide affordable, socially inclusive sensory friendly activities throughout the South Dublin Region for children with complex additional needs.
MAURICE McCONNELL YOUTH AWARD:
Rhasidat Adeleke – Tallaght Village
As well as achieving Gold Medal success for Ireland in the under 18 European Athletics Championship at the age of 15, Rhasidat’s work ethic is an inspiration to all the youth of Tallaght
PHILIP PRESTON SPORTS AWARD:
Amanda Spencer – Jobstown
Amanda has been the head coach of Jobstown Boxing Club for nearly 4 years. She committed her time 4 days a week to train kids. She puts in endless hours working with boxers making them the best they can be.
