7 community groups and a local volunteer hero were honoured at the inaugural Kilkenny Community and Voluntary awards.
The awards, which were a collaboration between Kilkenny Volunteer Centre and Kilkenny PPN with support from Kilkenny Co Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development, aimed to shine a light on the commitment of the countless community and voluntary groups across Co. Kilkenny and the volunteers who work tirelessly to provide services for the community.
The ceremony was due to take place on the 2nd December but in light of advice from government and public health advisors, the organising committee made the difficult decision to transition the awards to an online setting.
According Salena Grace, manager of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, “It have been a particularly difficult 22 months for everyone but the commitment, dedication and adaptability of volunteers and community groups across Co Kilkenny has never waned throughout the pandemic. While we are disappointed that we could not celebrate with everyone in person, we are still delighted to be able to acknowledge and honour the wonderful volunteers across Kilkenny city and county for all they do.
The category winners of the Kilkenny Community and Voluntary Awards include:
Arts, Culture and Heritage: Butler Gallery Volunteers
Community: One Million Stars by Amber Women’s Refuge
Social Enterprise: Windgap Community Development
Environment and Sustainability: Ferrybank Allotment Project
Health and Active Communities: St Christophers Cancer Care Transport Services
Social Inclusion: Twilight Community Group
Covid 19 Group Support: Kilkenny Civil Defence
Covid 19 Local Hero: Mary Molloy – volunteer with the Lakeside Tearooms was also awarded the Covid 19 Local Hero award for her invaluable work in her community in Windgap.
According to Margaret Whelan, Coordinator Kilkenny PPN, “the standard of the nominations we received was incredibly high and the achievements and accomplishments of all the groups and volunteers nominated is remarkable. We are so inspired by all the wonderful and selfless work being carried out across Kilkenny and the category winners are truly exemplary for their passion and drive. I’m sure everyone will agree they are very worthy recipients of their awards and congratulations to all.
Mary Molloy Winner of the Covid 19 Local Hero Category
Presented by Donna Byrne of MacDonagh Junction
St Christopher’s Cancer Care Transport Service
Presented by Pat Murphy of Glanbia
Twilight Community Group – winner of the Social Inclusion Category
Presented by Therese Curran of CKLP
Butler Gallery winner of the Arts Culture and Heritage Category
Presented by Mary Blanchfield of DCCI
One Million Stars winner of the Community Category
Presented by Fran Grincell of Fran Grincell Properties
Kilkenny Civil Defence winner of the Covid 19 Group Support Category
Ferrybank Allotments Project – Winner of the Environmental and Sustainability Category
Presented by Grainne Kennedy of 3CEA
Windgap Community Development – Winner of the Social Enterprise Category
Presented by Ian Coulter of St Canices Credit Union
