Recognition where it’s due Irish in Britain Volunteer Awards return after three-year hiatus

THE Irish in Britain Volunteer Awards 2023 returned this month following a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Created in 2018 to celebrate the exceptional role volunteers play in delivering vital services to the Irish community, the ceremony was held at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith.

Prizes were presented to winners and finalists in five categories on the night – namely the Individual Volunteer Award, Trustee Award, Group of Volunteers Award, Young Volunteer Award and the Irish in Britain Special Recognition Award.

The Awards were supported by sponsors Moreland Investments Ltd, Galway Crystal, architect and artist Angela Brady and Clover HR, while the judges’ panel consisted of John Jolly, Anne Jervis and Christina Lake.

The winner of Irish in Britain’s Individual Volunteer Award was Michael McNamara of the Brian Boru IDL Club and the runners–up were Peggy Connarty from Irish Community Care Manchester and Marian Begley from Irish Community Care Liverpool.

The joint winners of the Trustee Award were Paul Kelly and Amelia Dunford of W.E. Irish and the runners–up were Peter Power-Hynes from the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith and John Connolly from the Council of Irish County Associations.

The Group of Volunteers Award went to the Help at Hand Group, Ashford Place, while the runners–up were the Luton Irish Forum Volunteers and the Green Fingers Group, Birmingham Irish Association. The Young Volunteer Award was won by Tobias Walsh from Irish Community Care Manchester.

The Irish in Britain Special Recognition Award in memory of David O’Keeffe was presented to Ann Lucas from Irish Community Services in South London.

The awards ceremony was compered by musician and TV floor manager Niall Jackson.