Founder of Mullingar 4 All CLG shortlisted for LGBTQ+ GALA Person of Year award

Christine O’Mahony, founder of Mullingar 4 All CLG, has been shortlisted for Person of the Year in the National LGBTQ+ GALA Awards, on October 3.

This year the Person of the Year category will go to a public vote and Mullingar 4 All CLG are encouraging people to vote for Christine in that category.

Christine set up Mullingar 4 All in 2023 after witnessing the mistreatment of Ukrainian refugees and International Protection applicants at the barracks in Mullingar. Since then, the group have organised integration events such as coffee mornings, international potlucks and craft workshops, as well as protests and information session on Palestine. The group were shortlisted last year in the Westmeath Examiner awards in the Social Enterprise Section.

Mullingar 4 All became a CLG in 2026.

As well as that, Christine set up the Longford Westmeath Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and has raised money for Palestinian charities through a Gig for Gaza and fundraising quiz withJoe Rooney of Father Ted (Damo) .

Christine is alsochairperson of Heartlands Pride Athlone and in 2026, organised the first Pride parade in the town.

Christine has volunteered with the Bailiú Festival in Mullingar and the Zero Tolerance Midlands  Committee. She is a volunteer director on the Disability Participation News Hub board.

Christine's day job is at Athlone Community Radio.

Following the shortlist announcement, Christine said: “Never in a million years did I expect that I would be nominated, let alone shortlisted for this award. I was told there were 175 nominees and I was one of the four that made the shortlist.

"As part of a minority myself, my lived experience has influenced me to stand up for other minorities, which is why I set up Mullingar 4 All CLG.

"I am so thankful to have made it so far, and hope that people will lend their vote to me. I wasn’t to thank everyone so far for the support.”