Turner and O Dufaigh win Person of the Year awards

Paralympic swimmer Nicole Turner has been selected as the Offaly Person of the Year 2024.

The talented Garryhinch swimmer announced her retirement last year, bringing an extraordinary career in competitive swimming to a close.

A Paralympic silver medallist and multiple-time international medallist, Nicole left the sport as one of Ireland's most celebrated athletes.

The 2024 Unsung Hero of Offay award recipient is Birr's Pádraig O Dufaigh, a veteran member and officer with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Padraig has given a lifetime of dedication and service to Comhaltas at local and national level.

At the Leinster Convention 2024, Padraig officially stepped down from his position of Ardchisteoir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann but remains as a Trustee.

Both awards will be presented at a gala function in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore on Saturday, 5 April.

The awards are organised by a sub-committee of the Offaly Association (Dublin) and this year a total of 26 people were nominated by the general public through a coupon which was published in the local press.

Chairperson of the sub-committee Liam Fleury said: "The judges had difficult decisions to make in choosing the award winners but we feel both Nicole and Padraig are very worthy recipients."

He said that tickets will be available for the awards ceremony in the coming weeks from the Bridge House Hotel or any member of the organising committee.

Along with Mr Fleury on the selection committee are Pat Teehan, Noel McCann, Ger Scully and Peter Carter.

Nicole Turner 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 recognized her potential, she pursued the sport more seriously. Her career began with Portarlington Piranhas before moving to Laois Marlins in Portlaoise. She then trained with Ireland’s top swimmers at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin starting in 2017. In 2015, she made her senior international debut at the British Internationals, winning a silver medal in the youth category. She followed this with six finals and personal bests at that year’s World Championships in Glasgow.

She represented Ireland at the 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships, where she swam in six finals, bringing home silver in both the 200m Individual Medley and the 100m Breaststroke, as well as a bronze in the 50m Butterfly. At just 14 years old, Nicole made her Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. She competed in five events, qualifying for the final in each one. Nicole had the honour of serving as the flagbearer for Team Ireland during the Rio Paralympics' closing ceremony. Nicole shone at the 2018 European Championships in Dublin, winning silver in the 50m Butterfly. In 2019, she won bronze in the 50m Butterfly at the World Championships in London. At the 2021 European Championships in Madeira, she won medals in all four of her events: silver in the 50m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke, and bronze in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. Nicole competed in her second Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2021, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the global situation, she delivered stellar performances, culminating in the crowning moment of her career – winning a silver medal in the S6 50m Butterfly final with a time of 36.30 seconds.

Nicole was a key member of the Irish team at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester. At the 2024 Para Swimming European Championships in Madeira, she won four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, marking her third and final Olympic appearance, Nicole competed in two events. She advanced to the final of the S6 50m Freestyle, finishing 6th with a time of 35.65 seconds and she also finished 6th in the S6 50m Butterfly final. While she did not secure a podium finish, her performances reflected her continued dedication to her sport and her status as one of the top para-swimmers on the global stage.

The 2024 Unsung Hero of Offaly, Pádraig O Dufaigh has worked in every aspect of Comhaltas from door steward to the Ardchomhairle since he joined in 1958.

He played a key role in bringing Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann to Tullamore in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

A talented musician, Padraig is also a well known radio presenter.