Pictured Above: The night’s winners proudly display their awards.
The Sean Moore Awards 2015 took place on the evening of March 3rd at Clanna Gael Fontenoy. This was the second presentation ceremony since the Awards came back last year, after their nine-year hiatus.
There was a buzz of excitement in the Clanna Gael hall as people greeted each other, sipped the complementary wine and settled into their places. Local band Black Dog were on hand, led by Ringsend Rock School head honcho Dylan Clayton, to set the mood with some upbeat bluesey numbers.
Councillor Dermot Lacey got things off to a brisk and comical start with a confession that somehow managed to seem both heartfelt and ironic at the same time, explaining that he had tricked some of those present into attending. Recipients of the awards are not notified in advance if they have won, just that they have been shortlisted so the only way to know if you have been singled out for your good works is to turn up.
Among the visiting dignitaries were Councillors Chris Andrews, Claire Byrne and Frank Kennedy, later joined by Cllr Paddy McCartan and Kevin Humphries TD, as well of course as the prize-giver for the evening, Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke.
Pictured: The Youth section of Stella Maris Rowing Club, current European Rowing Champions and Junior Champions for the second year running.
The Lord Mayor delivered a short, sincere few words about the importance of volunteering in community relations, and how satisfying he found it to preside over an event where people who deserve to be recognised do have their moment to shine. He also shared a short anecdote about the man for whom the awards are named, the late lamented Sean Moore. The story concerned Sean abandoning his hospital bed to attend a critical vote, bringing his drip with him to the Chamber floor.
The ceremony proper was presided over by Irish Times writer and editor Roisin Ingle, daughter of Ann Ingle, who was instrumental in the founding of this very paper.
The winners for this year were the Donnybrook Youth Club, Helen Walsh, John Lynch, Lorraine Waters and their team from the Dublin South East MABS office. Graham Tucker and Dylan O’Toole, Anthony Byrne, John Hawkins of St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Darren Rigley, Una Henry, Dylan Clayton, Alish McCann and Suzanne Raethorn, Shay Connolly, Mary Doolin, Derek Stewart and Mick Curry, Sharon Byrne, Patrick and John Healy, Teresa Weafer, the youth section of the Stella Maris Rowing Club, and last but not least, in a surprise award, Ann Ingle.
Former education minister Rúairí Quinn was on hand to present this last surprise award. He reminisced about first meeting Anne, “the original Mammy,” in Sandymount in the early 1980s and their shared impulse to establish community services for the area, which eventually evolved into NewsFour. He also traded a few jibes with the Lord Mayor Christy Burke, a native Northsider, warning him that the bridge closes at 11pm.
Overall, the night was a success, and people lingered to drink and enjoy canapés generously supplied by Joe and Sharon Donnelly of the Fair Play Café.
Pictured: Teresa Weafer accepts her award for her immeasurable work with the Spellman Centre.
John Hawkins was awarded for his outstanding work with St Patrick’s Rowing Club, above.
Dylan Clayton was recognised for his commitment to teaching children in the Ringsend Rock School and inspiring the youth of the area.
Anthony Byrne received an award for his tireless gardening work in George Reynolds House, along with his organising of events for the youth of the area.
On its 50th anniversary, Donnybrook Youth Club was awarded for its decades of service to boys and girls up to their mid-teens.
Darren Rigley was awarded for his voluntary work with RICC in providing a bus service for pensioners to collect their pensions in Barrow Street post office.
Derek Stewart and Mick Curry were recognised for providing their skills and expertise to the restoration of the training skiff at Stella Maris Rowing Club, ensuring the continuation of Ringsend’s sea-faring traditions.
By Rúairí Conneely
