The Irish Post Awards have acknowledged excellence in the Irish in Britain since their founding in 1977. These prestigious Awards are recognised not only in Britain but around the world for the Irish diaspora. In our foundation year of 1977, our first accolade was awarded to community institution, the London Irish Centre and this institution is still thriving today. Through the year’s we have recognised luminaries and noted their significant contributions as they, also, at times have achieved global acclaim. In 1985, we honoured Sir Bob Geldof in the year of his enormous worldwide “Band Aid” appeal. In 1990, we applauded the impressive early career of Mr. Daniel Day Lewis, who went on to be a three time Oscar recipient and whom Time named the “World’s Greatest Actor”. Trainspotting was the film that defined a generation in 1996 and we were thrilled to Award, director Mr. Danny Boyle at our ceremony. In 1998, we acknowledged the hard work and perseverance of Dr. Mo Mowlam and the signing of the historic Good Friday Peace Agreement. The millennium year of 2000 saw us celebrate one of the greatest musicians of all time, Mr. Liam Gallagher. In both the years of 2006 and 2007, we had venerable businessmen highlighted with Dr. Peter Sutherland and Mr. John “The Green” Murphy honoured respectively. Each of these people and our recent recipients shares a resolute desire to succeed along with an enterprising spirit and a passion for Ireland and this is embodied in our Awards categories.
Contents Foreword from the Publisher Golden Milestone A look back through previous years Year 2019
Year 2018
Year 2017
Year 2016
Year 2015
Year 2014
Year 2013
A night to remember Each year The Irish Post Awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the Irish community in Britain and beyond. You, as a friend and valued supporter, have joined us in those celebrations and helped to make our very special night a highlight of the calendar for the Irish community. From the likes of Michael Flatley, Jonathan RhysMeyers and Fionnuala Flanagan to Louis Walsh, Bob Geldof, Karren Brady and Johnny McDaid, an array of global stars have walked our green carpet and received gongs honouring their commitment to their craft. More than 1,000 members of our global Irish community have joined us in London’s Park Lane each year, to celebrate those impressive achievements by our fellow Irish men and women. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of The Irish Post. While the coronavirus pandemic has meant our planned 2020 event could not take place, it doesn’t stop us looking back at some of the best bits of the years gone by. There will be plenty more to celebrate when the Irish Post Awards return, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the party, but in the meantime, here are some of our highlights… Elgin Loane
GOLDEN MILESTONE THE IRISH POST IN ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR BY FIONA AUDLEY POLITICIANS, community leaders and long-term readers of The Irish Post sent messages of support and congratulations to the publication in its 50th anniversary year. Founded in London in 1970 by Tony Beatty and Brendan Mac Lua, The Irish Post is proud to provide a voice for the community across Britain and further afield, campaigning for its rights, supporting its needy and championing its success stories. In 2020 we mark five decades of doing just that – charting the progress, development and achievements of the community we serve. Now, of course, the community we reach stretches further than ever through our daily news site irishpost. com, a range of events we host over the course of the year – including our flagship Irish Post Awards – and a series of glossy magazines published alongside our weekly newspaper. And we have made many friends across that community along the way, some of whom were in touch this year
to offer congratulations and a memory or two of their newspaper. Irish Ambassador to Britain Adrian O’Neill led the anniversary messages, stating: “My warmest congratulations to The Irish Post on this 50th anniversary and every best wish from myself and my colleagues in the Embassy for the years ahead.
“The Irish Post has been a central part of Irish community life in Britain since 1970, documenting and charting our joys, successes and troubles, our sporting endeavours, cultural celebrations and our business ventures.” He added: “Today it continues to help knit our community together,
bringing us all the news from home, whether home be Ireland or Britain or both, and highlighting the excellent work of so many Irish organisations and the many volunteers who give so much time and energy to improve the lives of others. “The ongoing success of The Post, today across both digital and print platforms, is a testament to its hard working and dedicated staff and a reflection of the vibrancy of the Irish community in Britain. Congratulations to all in The Irish Post and to all its loyal readers.” Irish MP Conor McGinn, who was re-elected to his St Helen’s North seat in the 2019 general election, reflected on a title which has been “everpresent” in his life since he moved to Britain. “The Irish Post has been an everpresent part of my life since I moved to England as an 18-year old,” he said. “Looking forward to reading the paper every week has been the constant throughout the almost 20 years I’ve lived here, across London and now in St Helens. “I’ve even been lucky through
working in the community, my involvement in the GAA and as a politician to occasionally grace the front and indeed the back pages of The Irish Post.” He added: “From uncles who worked on the motorways, aunts who nursed in the hospitals, cousins who’ve run businesses, me in the House of Commons and now my own children growing up as Irish in Britain, I and my family - like so many others feel part of the Post’s special story. “I’m proud we have such a strong paper that has always stood up for our community in tough times, ensured our most vulnerable had a voice and always celebrated our successes and
contribution to British society.” Regular contributor Gerry Molumby has been a reader of The Irish Post since he arrived in London in 1979, finding it a valuable tool as he navigated his new scene and one that remains just as important today for the many Irish still arriving on British shores each week. “When I came to Britain at the end of 1979 I assimilated into life in London, but I found myself feeling a greater sense of my Irishness, which I suppose I took for granted growing up in Ireland,” he said. “In this pre-internet era community cohesion for emigrants was achieved by going to the various Irish centres
and reading The Irish Post - the voice of the Irish in Britain. “When I started Triskellion Theatre and Cricklewood Homeless Concern, a profile in the paper would guarantee you good attendance at your event,” he added. “The paper, like the community, has evolved over the years but The Irish Post has retained a weekly and now online platform for the Irish in Britain; to share and discuss views on what it is to be Irish in Britain.” Martin Collins was a political contributor to The Irish Post in its early days. He shared some insight this week of the mindset of co-founder and former editor Brendan Mac Lua. “The unforgettable owner-editor, Brendan Mac Lua, once told me that most people from Ireland who arrived in England, Scotland or Wales would admit they had very little idea about what to expect on the other side of the water,” he said. “He thought The Irish Post could give them hope and help create the community they all deserved.” He added: “For 50 years The Irish Post has championed Irish arts, sports and culture. It encouraged the peace-makers, mourned for the victims and spoke out against injustice. “The Irish Post has sought recognition for Irish Navvies, Irish Nurses, Irish teachers and all those
who helped shape modern Britain. “From Donegan to Donovan, Lennon and McCartney, or take your pick of Ed Sheeran or Lisa O’Neill The Irish Post has championed all of them and all of us.”
2019
First to the stage at the Irish Post Awards 2019 was Boy George, receiving the gong for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Next up was actress Anna Friel who received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television. Donegal-born businessman Tim Kelly received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Business, while Sister Rita Lee won the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award for her years of work helping the less-fortunate in her Manchester parish. Piers Morgan was up next to receive the award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting and Journalism. The winner of the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport was Paralympic cyclist Katie Dunlevy. In a grand finale, the Lifetime Achievement award went to actor Colm Meaney.
Thursday 14th November, 2019 Great Room at Grosvenor House
“How amazing was that! Hope you were happy with everything. I thought it was a fantastic night.� Eamonn Holmes, Broadcaster
2018
After a decade at the top of the charts, The Script received the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry at the Irish Post Awards 2018. Ireland’s Women’s Hockey Team were later handed the Sporting Achievement Award for their superb showing at the Women’s Hockey World Cup that year. Cold Feet and The Hobbit star James Nesbitt took home the Outstanding Contribution to Television & Film Award, while music legend Chris De Burgh received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Fundraiser Nora Higgins, 83, received the Community Award, after completing a death-defying skydive earlier in the year, and Martin Naughton, KBE, was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Business. All the action was broadcast live once again through TG4 bringing all the glamour of the black-tie event to viewers back home in Ireland.
Thursday 22nd November, 2018 Great Room at Grosvenor House
2017 Songwriter and producer Johnny McDaid received the Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry Award at the Irish Post Awards 2017. He was joined on the red carpet by his partner, Hollywood actress Courteney Cox, and his mother Pauline McDaid. Olympic rowing favourites, brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan, were also in attendance to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award. The Apprentice star, Baroness Karren Brady collected the Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain Award, while music legend Bob Geldof received a Lifetime Achievement Award and Dublin star Imelda May was presented with the Artist of the Year gong. The Community Award went to Danny O’Sullivan and was proudly collected by his son. For the first time, the awards ceremony was broadcast live on TG4 – and livestreamed via the Irish Post social media channels bringing an estimated global audience of one million viewers to the glitzy proceedings.
Thursday 23rd November, 2017 Great Room at Grosvenor House
“I am inspired by what you do and what you have created. The spirit in which you honour our culture and her people is a thing to behold, and I for one, am deeply grateful.� Johnny McDaid, Musician and Songwriter
2016 The Irish Post Awards in 2016 saw EastEnders star Shane Ritchie collect the Entertainment Legend Award. That same evening our Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award was presented to Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, who was joined by assistant manager Roy Keane. The late Sir Terry Wogan was posthumously honoured for his incredible contribution to broadcasting, with daughter Katherine Cripps accepted the award in his memory. An Award for Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain was presented to Leicester City FC CEO Susan Whelan and the winner of the inaugural Building Britain Award was also revealed as The Carey Group, emerging as winners from a shortlist of four finalists. London Mayor Sadiq Khan presented that award, and also gave a keynote speech on the night. But possibly the biggest round of applause of the evening went to the Community Award winner, Agnes Forde. The 93-year-old was honoured for her work with Irish Community Services in London where she was elected as its first president.
Thursday 28th November, 2016 Great Room at Grosvenor House
“Thank you for such a wonderful evening. What a roaring success! I was delighted to be a part of it and honoured to receive the Award.� Susan Whelan, CEO, Leicester City FC
“In the room we have the cream of our country, who happen to be of Irish descent. Thank you Mr Elgin Loane for organising this event. You know how to throw a party.” Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
2015 POP impresario Louis Walsh led the stars in attendance at the 2015 Irish Post Awards. The music mogul picked up the Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry Award in the year which marked 45years since the foundation of The Irish Post. MC Eamonn Holmes received a surprise award on the night, to celebrate his 35 years in broadcasting, which was presented by his wife and This Morning co-host Ruth Langsford. Celebrated actress Fionnula Flanagan took home the Outstanding Contribution to the Film & Television Industry accolade, while the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award was posthumously awarded to footballer George Best and accepted by his son Calum. The Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain Award went to Galway-born brothers Brian Comer and Luke Comer of The Comer Group. Former MP and long-term champion of the Irish community in Britain, Chris Ruane received The Irish Post Community Award.
Sunday 23rd October, 2015 Hilton Hotel, Park Lane
“Congratulations! Great night, everyone I spoke to said they had a terrific time.� Fionnula Flanagan, Hollywood Actress
2014
The 2014 Irish Post Awards brought the stars of film, sport and business together for another unforgettable night. There Jonathan Rhys Meyers was presented with a Legend Award by Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley. Also honoured on the night, with an award for Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain, was Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Ballymore. The Technology Award went to Sir David McMurtry, Chairman of Renishaw Plc, while designer Louise Kennedy picked up the Company of the Year title. The Outstanding Sports Personality Award went to Ireland and Arsenal footballing legend Liam Brady and a Community Award was presented to Michael Forde, then Chairman of the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester.
Thursday 23rd October, 2014 Hilton Hotel, Park Lane
“I really enjoyed the Awards. It was a real feat to organise the evening for so many people.� Liam Brady, Republic of Ireland & Arsenal Football Legend
2013 Global dance superstar Michael Flatley was one of four people honoured at the Irish Post Awards 2013. The Chicago-born performer and entrepreneur received our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, which was hosted, as always, by Irish broadcaster Eamonn Holmes. On that same glittering evening business behemoth Ray O’Rourke KBE, the executive chairman of global construction firm Laing O’Rourke, received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain. Rosaleen Blair – the founder and then CEO of Alexander Mann Solutions – was also honoured on that night, receiving the Company of the Year award. Our fantastic four was complete when then Addison Lee chairman John Griffin accepted the award for Business Person of the Year. The awards themselves were specially crafted by the Crafts Council of Ireland and designed by artist Michele Hannan.
Thursday 31st October, 2013 Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane
Proudly supported through the years by
Creative, Packaging and Printing by The Color Company â„¢ Ltd www.color.co.uk