Last year’s Kerry Person of the Year, David Walsh. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTDTHE Kerry Association in Dublin is seeking nominations for the 2026 Kerry Person of the Year and for the 2026 Laochra Chiarraí award.
From the inaugural Kerry Person of the Year award to Dr Michael Carmody in 1979 to David Walsh last year, the roll of honour of previous recipients is most impressive and demonstrates the vast array of talented Kerry people from all walks of life.
Some of the previous recipients include the late John B Keane, Sr Consilio, Mick O’Connell, Dick Spring, Jimmy Deenihan, Dr Patricia Sheahan, Mick Galwey and Katie Hannon.
Continued below…
Previous recipients of the Laochra Chiarraí award include Radio Kerry GAA sports broadcasters Ambrose O’Donovan and Tim Moynihan, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle Committee and the Listowel Tidy Towns Committee.
The individual selected as Kerry Person of the Year and the group selected for the Laochra Chiarraí award must have shown leadership, brought honour to and performed charitable or other services to such an extent that could be regarded as being beyond the norm of everyday life.
The closing date for nominations is 17th August 2026. Nomination forms are available on request by emailinginfo@kerryassociation.ie
The winners of both awards will be announced in early September. They will be formally presented with their awards at the Kerry Association’s Oíche Chiarraí Gala Dinner in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross, Naas Road, Dublin on Saturday 17th October 2026.
