A TRALEE native has been selected as 2024 Kerry Person of the Year while the Kerry All Ireland Ladies Senior Football team and their management team were selected as 2024 Laochra Chiarraí winners.
Louise Quill, founder of Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation, has been selected for the honour by the Kerry Association in Dublin in recognition of the transformative work she has done supporting disadvantaged communities in Tanzania for the past 18 years.
The Kerry Ladies Senior Team and their management team have been selected to receive the Laochra Chiarraí award which recognises exemplary leadership in community activity in the county.
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The Kerry Person of the Year award, now in its 43rd year, recognises an individual who has shown leadership, brought honour to the county, and performed services for the county to such an extent that could be described as beyond the norm of everyday life.
During her tribute to Louise Quill, a native of Tralee, the Cathaoirleach of the Kerry Association in Dublin, Mary Shanahan, said “this award is presented in recognition of Louise’s exceptional work in leading the Charity Tír na nÓg to provide essential services and infrastructure to those in need in Tanzania”.
She referred to Louise’s work which has led to the development of kindergartens and schools, including a massive multi-million-euro project completed last year.
She has also been instrumental in drilling boreholes to provide access to clean water and has initiated multiple water filtration projects providing thousands of people in underprivileged communities with access to safe drinking water.
Her efforts have also resulted in the creation of sports and recreation facilities, playgrounds for children and the construction of a library. In recent times building of a dental clinic has been completed, as well as a third sanitation system at a school for disabled children.
Mary said, “the examples outlined are, but a small sample of the transformative projects led by Louise providing employment to hundreds of people, while at the same time building sustainable communities”.
Louise Quill said “I am truly honoured and deeply humbled to receive the Kerry Person of the Year award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the incredible work of everyone involved with Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation. Our mission has always been to bring hope, support, and brighter futures to children who need it most, and this award affirms the importance of that work. I want to thank the people of Kerry for their unwavering support and belief in our cause. Together, we are making a difference, and I am proud to share this moment with all of you.”
The Kerry Ladies Senior Football Team and their management team were selected as the 2024 Laochra Chiarraí award winners in recognition of the enormous contribution they have made to ladies’ football, culminating in All Ireland success this year.
Captain, Niamh Carmody said “It’s an absolute honour to receive this award. It’s a testament to all the hard work that has been put into Kerry Ladies football over the past number of years. And just a special thanks to Kerry Group for their continued support”
Nora Fealey, Chairperson Kerry Ladies Gaelic Football Association, said “On behalf of Kerry LGFA, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to The Kerry Association in Dublin for recognising the Kerry Senior Ladies Football Team as the Laochra Chiarraí winners for 2024. Your acknowledgment of their hard work and achievements means a great deal to us. We are truly honoured by this distinction and appreciate the support from the Kerry Association in Dublin.”
Brigid Laffan, President of the Kerry Association said; “The awards recognise the exceptional contribution made by Louise to improving the lives of others and by the Kerry ladies’ team in showing leadership and inspiration to future generations of footballers.”.
Both awards will be presented at the Association’s annual Oíche Chiarraí which will be held in the Louis Fitzgerald hotel, Dublin on Saturday, October 19.
Tickets for Oíche Chiarraí can be purchased either securely online or from the Association. Tickets can be purchased online from the Association’s website, www.kerryassociation.ie at €90 (€85 and €5 booking fee).
Alternatively, they can be purchased from the Association’s Treasurer, Marion Walsh marionwalsh10@gmail.com, telephone 087 2832018) or any of the Committee at €85.
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