Nicole and Pádraig honoured at Offaly Person of the Year awards

Paralympic swimmer Nicole Turner, of Garryhinch, and Birr's Pádraig O Dufaigh, a stalwart member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, were honoured at the presentation of the 36th Offaly Person of the Year award, and the fifth Offaly Unsung Hero award, on Saturday last.

The event in Tullamore's Bridge House Hotel, which is organised by the Offaly Association (Dublin), was attended by more than 100 people.

It saw both Nicole and Pádraig honoured after they were nominated by the people of Offaly and selected by a special committee comprising of Liam Fleury, Ger Scully (Tullamore Tribune), Peter Carter (Offaly Topic), Pat Teehan and Noel McCann.

The smooth running of the event was in the capable hands of Master of Ceremonies, Ger Scully.

Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, spoke of her immense pride to be at a function during which two wonderful people were honoured.

"I want to congratulate Nicole on her selection as Person of the Year, and Pádraig on his selection as Unsung Hero. Nicole's great success is inspirational to us all.

"Pádraig has worked a lifetime in Comhaltas and has made a major contribution to Comhaltas both locally and nationally, and his work has left a lasting legacy with our young people."

Former Offaly Person of the Year and present chairman of the Offaly GAA County Board, Tom Parlon also said he was delighted to be present at the awards.

"Nicole Turner is a very dedicated young person and to have won the award when so many other wonderful people were nominated was a wonderful achievement," he said. "Pádraig Ó Dufaigh has done so much over a long number of years to promote our culture and he is a deserving winner of the Unsung Hero award. I also want to pay tribute to Pat Teehan and Liam Fleury for their work with the Offaly Association.

"It was a great honour for me to be elected as Chairman of Offaly County Board and I want to thank the Offaly Association for the recent presentation of a cheque for €30,000, the proceeds of the Golf Classic to Offaly County Board."

Awards sponsor Noel Tynan of The Celt Bar, on Dublin's Talbot Street thanked the large crowd present for attending on the night.

The citation for the Offaly person of the year, Nicole Turner, was read by Peter Carter. It stated that the award was going to "a young woman who has represented her country in international competitive swimming and who last year announced her retirement, bringing an extraordinary career to a close.

"A Paralympic silver medallist and multiple-time international medallist, the 2024 Offaly Person of the Year leaves the sport as one of Ireland's most celebrated athletes.

"From Garryhinch, she initially took up swimming to follow in the footsteps of her two older brothers, but her exceptional talent quickly became evident. Encouraged by her family and coaches, who recognised her potential, she pursued the sport more seriously."

The citation outlined the 22-year-old's glittering list of achievements during her swimming career, including appearances at three Paralympic Games, the first of which, in Rio, came when she was just 14. She followed this up by winning silver at the delayed 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

It concluded by quoting Paralympics Ireland CEO Stephen McNamara, who said "Nicole's contribution to Irish sport and her exceptional performances will leave a lasting legacy. While we will miss seeing her compete, we congratulate her on everything she has accomplished throughout her career and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life."

In accepting the award, Nicole said: "I want to thank the committee for organising such a wonderful night, my family, in particular my parents who have helped me so much.

"My parents and my brothers have always given me great support and wonderful encouragement. I also want to thank everyone who has helped me to achieve what I achieved over the years. I want to thank Joanne Brown, Senior Consultant Sports Psychologist for all her support.

"I want to thank you all for coming here to be with me on this special night. I have had a wonderful career in swimming and thank everyone who has helped me in any way.

"Winning in Tokyo was very special for me and I do not regret any of the sacrifices I had to make during my swimming career because I always wanted to succeed.

"Thanks again to the committee for selecting me and to you all for coming tonight."

The citation for Pádraig O Dufaigh's unsung hero award was read out by Pat Teehan.

It stated that Pádraig "has given a lifetime of service championing traditional Irish music through Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann at local, county and national level.

"Despite his advancing years, the 2024 Unsung Hero is still involved with Comhaltas locally and is also an active member of the Parish Pastoral Council in Birr," the citation added.

"A multi-talented individual, he is a veteran radio presenter who has fronted the popular Coppers and Brass traditional musical programme on Midlands 103 for over three decades." Pádraig was born in Ballywilliam, Eglish, in Drumcullen parish, and attendees at the awards night heard that he has attended "every Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann since 1958 and was a key member of the ogranising committee which brought the event to Tullamore in 2007, 2008 and 2009."

"Now aged 87, the 2024 Unsung Hero retains his zest for life and his commitment to all things Gaelic and Irish, both language and music," the citation added.