PHOTOS: People From All Over Kerry Honoured At County Council Awards

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Cathaoirleach Tralee Municipal District, Cllr Jim Finnucane presenting recipients, Louise Quill, Elaine Burrows Dillane, Francie Conway, Brian Walsh with their awards, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Deputy Norma Foley, TD, Cllr Sam Locke, Cllr Cathal Foley, Michael Scannell, Director of Services, Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

KERRY County Council paid tribute to the county’s heroes and achievers at a gala awards ceremony in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney last night.

Among those honoured were Louise Quill, Elaine Burrows Dillane, Brian Walsh and Francie Conway from Tralee.

The Annual Kerry County Council and Municipal District Awards were presented to teams, organisations, groups and individuals who had achieved notable success and brought distinction and honour to their communities and their native county.

The awards were presented by Cathaoirleach Niall Kelleher to nine County Council recipients and by the respective Mayor and Cathaoirligh to 19 recipients across the five Municipal Districts.

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A Civic Reception was also presented to Killarney man, Ian O’Connell to honour his courage and positive attitude in the face of adversity.

Ian O’Connell was presented with the highest accolade in Kerry, he ws accorded a civic reception by Kerry County Council “For showing strength, bravery and determination in the face of insurmountable odds”. He was honoured by Cathaoirleach Cllr Niall Kelleher, at the annual Kerry County Council and Municipal District Awards, which took place at the Great Southern on Friday night. With Ian are his parents, Mike and Noreen O’Connell and Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Cathaoirleach Niall Kelleher said that the wide array of achievements and successes were inspiring and worthy of acknowledgment and celebration by the local authority. ‘We pay tribute tonight to those who have pursued their dreams, excelled in their field, led community or voluntary groups, achieved records and new personal bests, and brought glory to their teams on the field of play.”

‘Your stories and achievements are truly inspiring and prove again that, in Kerry, our people are out best asset. We thank you for your heroism, dedication and tenacity,’ he said.

Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell thanked the elected members of the council for nominating the various recipients and said the nominees showed were thoroughly deserving of their awards.

Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Cllr Jim Finucane presenting, Elaine Burrows Dillane, with her award, in recognition for her charitable achievement swimming the English Channel, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Tralee Municipal District

• Louise Quill, for her charitable work in Tanzania
• Elaine Burrows Dillane, Channel swimmer
• Brian Walsh, for services to the community
• Francie Conway, for his work with the Christie Hennessy Festival

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Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Cllr Jim Finucane presenting, Louise Quill with her award, in recognition of her charitable efforts with the Tír na nÓg Orphanage in Tanzania, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Cllr Jim Finucane presenting, Brian Walsh with his award, in recognition of his outstanding charitable work in the community of Tralee, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Cllr Jim Finucane presenting Francie Conway, with his award, in recognition of his work, developing and promoting the Christie Hennessy Weekend in Tralee, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

County Council awards were presented to:

• Sgt Dermot O’Connell for his creation of the Operation Páistí safety initiative
• Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society for their role in preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the county
• Irish Red Cross Kerry Branch for their volunteering spirit and dedication
• Kerry Academy of Dance for achieving success nationally and internationally
• Gary O’Sullivan, Special Olympics gold medallist
• Kerry All-Ireland Camogie Winning Team 2019
• St Michael’s College Cadet Volleyball Team on winning the all-Ireland title 2019
• Kevin Lynch for his achievement at the European Masters Athletics
• Vincent O’Connor and Martin Guerin for their heroic rescue from drowning of John Kelleher in Listowel in 1972

Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Kerry Red Cross, Kerry Branch – Majella Forde and Maureen Millward, with their award, in recognition dedication and volunterring spirit, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Clarissa Michaux, Kerry Academy of Dance, with her award, in recognition achieving success nationally and internationally, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Marie O’Sullivan, Chair Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, with their award, in recognition of their role in preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the county, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting team members of Kerry Camogie Team with their award, in recognition of their All Ireland Championships 2019, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council and Cllr Mike Kennelly. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Gary O’Sullivan, with his award, in recognition achieving a Gold Medal at the Special Olympics in 2019, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Sargeant Dermot O’Connell, Killarney Garda Station, with his award in recognition of his creation of the Operation Páistí safety initiative, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council and Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Michael Gleeson. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Kevin Lynch, with his award, in recognition of his achievement at European Masters Athletics, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council and Cllr Michael Kennelly, Listowel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting St Michael’s College Cadet Volleyball Team, Listowel, with their award, in recognition of winning the All Ireland Title in 2019, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council and Cllr Michael Kennelly. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher, presenting Vincent O’Connor, Listowel, with his award, in recognition of his heroic rescue of John Kelleher in 1972, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Moira Murrell, Chief Executive Kerry County Council, and John Kelleher. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Listowel Municipal District Awards

• Ballydonoghue Comhaltas Under-12 Dancers
• Cian Horgan, Wheelchair Hurling Champion 2019
• Listowel Pitch and Putt Club
• MOYA Festival, Ballybunion

Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District Cllr Jimmy Moloney, presenting Ballydonoghue CCÉ Dancers, Cian Horgan, members of Listowel Pitch ’n Putt Club, Grainne Toomey, Sara Allen at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Also included is Cllr Mike Kennelly, Joan McCarthy, Manager Listowel Municipal District. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Kenmare Municipal District Awards

• Rockmount Care Centre, Kilgarvan
• Mike Moriarty who rescued two tourists from drowning in Valentia
• Tara Foley, Glencar, Sheepdog Trials Champion
• Timothy McGrath, Killorglin student for scientific creativity and ingenuity

Cathaoirleach of Kenmare Municipal District Cllr Dan McCarthy, with receipients of Kenmare Municipal District Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night.Included Tara Foley, International Sheepdog Trials, Cllr Norma Moriarty, Joanne Moriarty, Tadgh O’Donoghue, Timoty McGrath, Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae, Tom MacDonnell, Cllr Francis Flynn, Martin Moriarty, Siobhan Hayes, Kerry County Council. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Killarney Municipal District

• Killarney Scorchers Cheerleading Club
• Killarney Comhaltas Dancers
• Rena Kennelly for creating the Christmas Crib at St Mary’s Cathedral for 46 years

Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District Cllr Michael Gleeson, presenting, all the Killarney recipients with their awards in recognition of their achievements in the town, at the Kerry County Council Annual Awards, at the Great Southern, Killarney on Friday night. Included are, Rena Kennelly, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Angela McAllen, Manager Killarney Muncipial, Cllr Donal Grady, Ann Mangan and Members of Killarney CCÉ, Killarney Scorchers Club, Cllr Brendan Cronin, Eileen O’Donoghue, Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Niall O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District

• John Lenihan, athlete
• Pat Murphy, athlete
• Nuala Moore, sea swimmer
• Seán Mac an tSíthigh, journalist