John Flanagan is Offaly Person of the Year

TULLAMORE business man, John Flanagan, will be conferred with the prestigious 2017 Offaly Person of the Year award at a gala dinner in April.

Mr Flanagan joins a select list of Offalians including former GAA President, the late John Dowling and former Taoiseach, Minister and TD, Brian Cowen who have been awarded the honour by the Offaly Association [Dublin].

Mr Flanagan, who follows 2016 winner Pat Smullen, will receive the award for his lifetime contribution to business in Tullamore, Offaly and the Midlands and in particular his development of the Tullamore Court Hotel, the 20th anniversary of which was celebrated in 2017, and his work as the first President of Tullamore Chamber of Commerce, which marked its 40th anniversary in 2017.

This is the 30th annual Offaly Person of the Year award and each year the recipient is selected by a sub-committee of the Offaly Association [Dublin] chaired by Liam Fleury, a native of Drumcullen.

The award is sponsored by Coolderry native, Noel Tynan of Le Bon Crubeen Restaurant, Talbot Street, Dublin.

The award will be presented at the association's annual dinner dance in the Bridge House Hotel on Saturday, April 7 next. A native of the Cappincur area, John Fanagan has spent his lifetime in the construction trade and founded the Flanagan Group, the firm behind many major projects in Tullamore and the Midlands.

He was a Fianna Fail member of Tullamore UDC [later Town Council] from 1985 onwards and was later elected to Offaly County Council.

Mr Flanagan was also deeply involved in many community groups including St Mary's Youth Centre and the Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 61st dinner dance to be hosted by the Offaly Association and tickets for this prestigious event, priced €35, are available from any member of the organising committee or from the Bridge House Hotel.

The other 16 nominees this year were Jennifer Byrne, Ballinahown; Christine White, Birr; Gary Farrell, Rhode; Fr Rory O'Brien, Ballinamere; Mick Spain, Drumcullen; Ken Smollen, Tullamore; Vincent Cleary, Sr Xavier O'Brien, Tullamore, William McNamee, Rhode; Conor Brady, Tullamore; John Carroll, Crinkill; Seamus Dooley, Ferbane; Margaret Phelan, Kilcormac,; Kevin Doyle, Ferbane; Tullamore Show and Birr Theatre and Arts Centre.

The awards organising committee is composed of Liam Fleury, Drumcullen, Connie Hanniffy, Doon, Anne Carey, Clonbullogue, Noel McCann, Tullamore/Daingean, Pat Teehan, Coolderry/ Birr, Peter Carter, Edenderry and Ger Scully, Tullamore/ Killavilla.