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Brendan Riney after receiving his MBE award in 2012.
AN East London based civil engineering contractor with Kenmare roots has been awarded one of the most prestigious Irish community awards in the UK.
Brendan Riney MBE, who left his native Kenmare almost 70 years ago, has been named as the winner of the respected Kerry Association London Person of the Year award for 2016.
The south Kerry native was selected last night by the Kerry Association London’s Person of the Year sub-committee in recognition for the charity work he undertakes in the London area.
Mr Riney is the Managing Director of J B Riney & Co Ltd, a renowned civil engineering contractor which has become one of London’s leading and most respected construction companies.
He joins some of London’s most illustrious Kerry people, like the late John Murphy and current KAL chairman Danny O’Sullivan who have employed countless Kerry people in their respective civil engineering firms over the years, as Kerry Person of the Year.
In October 2012, Mr Riney was presented with the Member of the most excellent order of the British Empire award from Prince Charles to honour his work setting up Mudchute City Farm, in Pier Street on the Isle of Dogs.
On hearing of his award he said: “This is a tremendous honour and I am very pleased to be the 2016 Kerry Person of the Year. I am very proud of my Kerry background especially my roots in Kenmare. I will do my best in my role as Kerry Person and very much look forward to an exciting year ahead.”
Mr Riney, who travelled to London in 1947, left his native Kenmare at the young age of 13. His father was born and raised in Templenoe and his mother was from Cork.
He will be joined by his wife Anne, his daughters and son at the Annual Kerry Association Dinner & Dance on the 21st of October to accept his award.
The following night, on October 22, Kerry Association chairman Danny O’Sullivan will host his annual charity fundraiser in aid of St Joseph’s nursing home in Killorglin at the parish church hall in Dollis Hill, North London.
The Annual Kerry Association London Dinner & Dance will be held on the 21st of October at the Clayton Crown hotel, Cricklewood. For enquiries regarding the event, please contact Kerry Association Secretary, Tara Cronin, on +44 7939 017022.
