9 August 2021
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Elaine O’Regan from Ballygarvan Community Association has been chosen as “The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award” winner for April. The association brings young and older generations together and also promotes the social, economic, cultural and environmental welfare of the entire community.
Elaine O’Regan has volunteered as secretary for the last five years and has played an integral role in the renovation of Ballygarvan Old National School building which is now home to the Community Centre. She dedicates her own time to cleaning, decorating and fundraising for the new centre.
Elaine O’Regan: Ballygarvan Community Association, receiving the Community Spirit Award for April 2021, from Gerald McCarthy: Trophy Sponsor, alongside Seán O’Sullivan: Awards Co-ordinator; Cllr. Ben Dalton O’Sullivan (deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork & Sandra Murphy: Brand & Communications Manager, Cork International Hotel, at Ballygarvan Community Centre. Photo Siobhán Russell
This year, Ballygarvan Community Association is using funding awarded by Cork County Council to continue works on the centre, install new benches in the village as well as adding beautiful flowers and signs.
Elaine is the fourth winner of “The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award”. It was established to honour volunteers who are making a significant contribution to their community and sees a group or individual chosen every month with an overall winner selected at the end of the year. The awards are open to community groups and organisations in Cork from first-responders to community centres, victim support services to sports groups and those volunteering in the health and disability sectors.
General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Carmel Lonergan said: “We are delighted to see Elaine O’Regan win the fourth monthly Community Spirit Award. She does a fantastic job in helping to make her local village a wonderful place to live. It is great to be able to honour the work Elaine and the entire association does. These awards are a great way to pay tribute to the important community groups and volunteer organisations in our locality. So many people have pulled together over the last year and gone above and beyond and we want to recognise that.”
The awards, which are sponsored by The Carrigdhoun Newspaper and Gerald McCarthy Giftware, take in a large geographical area in South Cork stretching from Rochestown, Douglas and Togher to Kinsale, Crosshaven and Passage West.
The judging panel comprises a mixture of public and private sector representatives from the community.
The judging panel for this award was:
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Carmel Lonergan General Manager Cork International Hotel
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Nicola Radley Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council
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Aisling Killilea Bank of Ireland Manager Carrigaline and Douglas
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Vincent O’Donovan Carrigdhoun
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Jack White Carrigdhoun
Nominations are open now: https://www.
Categories Eligible for Nomination:
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Community – Organisations that are community-based such as community centres, schools, church groups, neighbourhood groups etc.
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Safety & Emergency Services – Organisations such as first responders, search and rescue, first aid, mountain rescue, Coast guard etc.
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Social Work & Social Inclusion – Organisations covering a range of fields including homelessness, domestic violence, hospices, asylum seekers, victim support etc.
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Sports & Recreation – Organisations such as sports clubs, recreation centres, leisure clubs/centres, hill walking groups, fitness, playgroups, dancing clubs, etc.
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Animals & Environment – Organisations that are involved in working with animals in both a therapeutic and caring context, as well as organisations that are focused on environmental issues, safety and/or sustainability
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Arts, Culture and Media – Organisations such as libraries, galleries, theatres, drama groups, cultural centres, film and photography groups, heritage groups, community radio, etc.
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Children & Youth – Organisations working to provide for the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people
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Health & Disability – Organisations working with and for people who are ill or disabled, either mentally or physically (or both) to improve quality of life
Geographical Area:
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Donnybrook
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Grange
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Frankfield
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Douglas
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Maryborough
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Rochestown
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Passage West
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Togher
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Ballinhassig
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Riverstick
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Ballygarvan
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Kinsale & District
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Carrigaline
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Crosshaven
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Tracton
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Monkstown
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Shanbally
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Ringaskiddy