21 April 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Outstanding contributions made by individuals and community and voluntary groups across Cork County was showcased at the 9th Annual Mayor’s Community Awards. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan presented a total of twelve awards on the night, including a special posthumous presentation, with Noreen Minihan from West Cork winning the overall Individual award and Passage West Creates winning the overall Community Group award.
Deirdre O’Sullivan, Jerry Murphy and Ann O’Connell accepted the Southern Division group award on behalf of Macroom St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Celebration (2021)
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Noreen Minihan from West Cork accepted the Overall Individual Award award at the 2022 Mayor’s Community Awards
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Cllr. Ross O’Connell accepted the Western Division group award on behalf of West Cork Women Against Violence at the 2022 Mayor’s Community Awards
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Mayor Coughlan warmly commended all nominees on the night for their commitment and dedication to their communities,
“These annual awards celebrate the best of our county’s goodwill, generosity and altruism. They give us all the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the selfless work of volunteers who support their communities. From responding to the urgent needs of neighbours and friends throughout the county to cultivating civic pride and harbouring a sense of identity and solidarity, each nominee has left a lasting mark on their community that deserves our highest commendations.”
The Mayor’s Community Overall individual award winner, Noreen Minehan of Clonakilty, has a long-standing history of community activity having been involved in the Cope Foundation, the West Cork Traveller Centre, Clonakilty Community Hall, Dúchas Historical Society, Annual Band Championships, West Cork Drama Festival and Clonakilty Street Feast Festival. The judges highlighted how Noreen has a very broad reach across her community and that of West Cork over many years.
Passage West Creates, winners of the Mayor’s Community Overall Group Award, is a not-for-profit collective of crafters from Cork Harbour and beyond. Its home is behind a bright blue shop front in Main Street, Passage West driven by an ethos of all that is local, sustainable and ethical with the judges remarking how Passage West Creates is committed to continued growth and continues to innovate.
A posthumous presentation for Mary Manning recognising her outstanding work in driving the development of Dromahane Community Park and promoting greater inclusion in her community was collected by her husband, Barry Phillips.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added,
“Cork County Council’s mission to improve quality of life, of environment, and to preserve and promote local amenities and heritage is greatly advantaged by the incredible work done at a community level throughout the County. It’s no exaggeration to say that many of the great things about towns and villages in the county are thanks to the work of the nominees and groups and individuals like them. These awards are well earned recognition for the incredible community work that takes place all year round in Cork.”
South Cork Nominees
Carrigaline Tidy Towns
Street Café for Cork Homeless Volunteer Group
Kindred Spirits Group
Macroom St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Celebration 2021 – Group Winner
Passage West Creates – Overall Group Winner
1st Cork Crosshaven Sea Scouts
Cobh Camogie Adult Junior B Team,
Homeless Drive
Rita O’Leary
Maren Hodder
Con O’Leary – Individual Winner
North Cork Nominees
Boherbue Tidy Towns
Fermoy Community Pre-School Ltd – Group Winner
Art for the Heart
Bweeng Community Hall and Grounds – Group Winner
Charleville Community Childcare
Maureen Connolly
Donie Mulcahy – Individual Winner
West Cork Nominees
Stuttering Awareness Mental Wellbeing Ireland
Clonakilty Meals on Wheels Group
Castletown Fundraising Group
Bandon Hillwalking Club
West Cork Women Against Violence – Group Winner
Eleanor Calnan
Geraldine Fitzgerald – Individual Winner
Fred Treacy
Mike Deasy
Fr. Tom Hayes
Noreen Minihan – Overall Individual Winner
Kathleen Keane
Alice Taylor
