Cathaoirleach Awards celebrating the "You" in the community

A great buzz was in the air at Belvedere House on Thursday evening as people from all corners of Westmeath arrived for the 2010 Cathaoirleach Awards.While the Midlands Youth Orchestra added to the atmospheric setting that is Belvedere, there was growing excitement to see who would take the overall award.In due course however, all eyes turned to Liam McGovern of Mullingar Athletic AFC, who was crowned the overall winner for his development of the Club, while Sr. Finbarr Breslin received the Cathaoirleach's Special Individual Award for her work in empowering families throughout the county.In the words of Kitty Foyle, who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, the Cathaoirleach Awards are about celebrating the "You" in community - "people's involvement, their volunteering and their commitment"."The people in this room have all given freely of their time, this is a great gift," said Kitty."Tonight we express our gratitude to you all, to thank you, to encourage you and reward you in all you have done."County Manager Danny McLoughlin said it was a great opportunity for Westmeath County Council to reward communities for the fantastic work they do: "Tonight, we have people from all sections of society, people from the arts groups, from the residents' associations, women's groups, sports groups, youth groups. All have the same sense of community pride and community action. My message is very simple, and that's a simple thank you to all of you," he said.The Cathaoirleach of the Council, Cllr. Fintan Cooney said the evening was to recognise the many individuals and organisations throughout the county that have contributed in a meaningful way to their local communities:"Your nomination by your community and your peers is due recognition of what you represent - selflessness, a good neighbour, a friend to those in need, the essence of community spirit. Without communities working for each other, we would not have the basis for a functioning society and in this context, everyone here tonight plays an important role," said Cllr. Cooney.Liam McGovern, the overall winner, is a native of Athboy, who came to live in Mullingar around twenty years ago. A founding member of Mullingar Athletic, he was a player and subsequently a trustee, secretary, team manager and voluntary project manager and is the driving force behind the development of the club.Under his time Mullingar Athletic has acquired and developed a 14 acre playing facility, comprising a clubhouse, three pitches, flood lighting, two all-weather five-aside pitches and a full-size all-weather pitch. He devotes almost all of his leisure time to the club which caters for over 1000 participants per week of all ages.Sr. Finbarr received the Cathaoirleach's Special Individual Award for her work in helping families in the community. Cllr. Cooney said choosing Sr. Finbarr was the easiest part of his task, but attempting to outline in a few short sentences what this person has done, was more difficult.As a Sister of Mercy, Sr. Finbarr came to Mullingar in the early 70's to take charge of the catering facilities in Mullingar Hospital. Later she went to work in the community and the parish and one of the first project she quickly established was a Mother and Toddler Group. From this her work grew and to date she has established an organisation entitled The Women's Community Project, which covers a wide range of activities of huge benefit to many."The only way I could sum up this organisation is to quote their mission statement," said Cllr. Cooney. "To facilitate the empowerment of women through education and community enterprise development." This objective has been achieved and continues to be achieved by the skilful efforts of Sr. Finbarr who has successfully motivated numerous people and organisations to come on board," he said.Speaking after the event, Sr. Finbarr told the Westmeath Examiner how honoured she felt to receive an award like this: "I feel very privileged to receive this award which is very much unexpected," she said. "My work in the parish is what I always wanted to do. The last 40 years has just been marvellous, I love it. People have been very good to me and very supportive."In 1971 I came to Mullingar and I'm still here, they can't get rid of me, but I truly feel very honoured."Other awards presented were the Pride of Place for schools, which went to St. Brigid's NS, Ballynacargy in the under 100 pupils category, and Mullingar Educate Together in the over 100 pupils category.The Special Category Award went to Westmeath Older People's forum, which was represented by Patricia McKenna and Finn Gallagher.The Community in Action Scheme Grant award, which assists a community group to undertake a particular project, was awarded to Castledaly, which addressed a problem with safety around its school and church.The Cathaoirleach's Special Group Organisation award went to the ICA, which celebrates its centenary this year, and was received by Wayne Carter and Elizabeth Brady. The Community Involvement Award went to Peter Fox, for his involvement in setting up the community centre and pitch and his work with the Streamstown Tidy Village.The Youth and Sports Development Award went to Terry O'Dowd, for promoting GAA in Mullingar. A former dual player for Plunketts and Shamrocks he has refereed at Club and County level, coached and held several administrative jobs within the organisation locally.The award for Environment and Heritage went to Bernard Bradley, of Rochfortbridge's Tidy Towns Committee, a man who continues to be an inspiring and encouraging member working for the betterment of the village.The award for Arts and Culture went to Mel O'Flynn of Athlone Little Theatre.Thady Burke took the award for Active Citizenship.Thady devotes his time to different groups, and has been a member of Ringtown Hurling Club, the Coole Whitehall Social Services Committee, Child Protection Officer, Parish Finance Committee, St. Patrick's Day Committee, Graveyard Maintenance Committee, Credit Union Board of Directors.He is also known as a great neighbour to all.Other nominations for the Cathaoirleach awards included:Angela Montgomery nominated by Castlepollard Youth Club; Ann Creagh nominated by Moyvore Tidy Towns; Billy Buckley Moyvoughley Community Centre Committee; Colm Gildea Kinnegad Community Council; Dale Greenwood Ballymore Community Childcare Facility; Dave Raftis nominated by Athlone Women's Network, Frank Brennan Crookedwood Community Development; Dermot Hope Westmeath PWDI; John Humphreys St. Loman's GAA; Kitty Flynn Young at Heart Active Retirement Group Kilbeggan; Olivia Cronin Killucan/Raharney Tidy Towns/Community Games; Padraic Keena Ballymore Score and Ballymore CCE; Pat McGonagle Clonmellon Community Council, Peter Gillivan Mount Carmel Residents Association; Peter Fox Streamstown Tidy Village, Peter McGrath Ballymore Tidy Towns, Teresa Coloe Ballynacargy Tidy Towns Committee; Tom Egan Castlepollard Festival Committee and Tony Dolan Multyfarnham Tidy Towns and Park Development.