*Maureen Sweeney with John J. Kelly. Photograph: Tom Reilly.ย 

Scariffโ€™s Ruth Oโ€™Hagan penned and recited a poem entitled โ€˜The Girl Who Changed The Worldโ€™ as part of a tribute to 98 year old Maureen Sweeney on Saturday.

At an event in Sonas nursing home in Belmullet, Co Mayo on Saturday, Maureen received a medal from the US House of Representatives in recognition of her role in changing the course of history through her weather reports.

A native of Kerry, Maureen forecast an impending storm from Blacksod station in 1944 which changed the timing of the D-Day landings and ultimately secured victory for the Allies.

John J. Kelly, an Irish American who led the design and production of the modern landing craft, paid tribute to Maureen and the Sweeney Family at the event on behalf of the USA. An annual visitor to Feakle, John read several letters of thanks to Maureen and her family from the US, he also presented a letter and certificate to Maureen from the President of the World War Two Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He read a signed personal note from the highest ranking military officer to ever take a seat in the US Congress. Retired Three Star Marine Corps General now Congressman Jack Bergman (Michigan First District) sent his best wishes to Maureen. Congressman Bergman also sent a framed parchment from the US Congress which places her name in the US Congressional Record for perpetuity.

Kelly presented the House of Representatives Medal to Maureen Sweeney on behalf of the House of Representatives. This medal was specially produced and only given to those that have performed โ€œLaudable Deedsโ€ for the USA. Patricia Kelly, Johnโ€™s wife, presented a bouquet of Summer flowers to Maureen with the thanks of the people of the USA and of Ireland.

Eoin Oโ€™Hagan from Scariff and the founder of Cealtra Communications Ltd was the MC for the event which was live streamed utilising three cameras by Feakle native Matt Purcell of Purcell AV.

A poem titled โ€˜The Girl Who Changed The Worldโ€™ was penned and recited specifically for the event by Scariffโ€™s Ruth Oโ€™Hagan. The poem is about an ordinary girl doing ordinary things on an ordinary night not knowing the extraordinary affect she had on World history.

Father Kevin Hegarty PP Kilmore and Erris parish offered a blessing to Maureen, her family, her fellow residents and staff of the Sonas Nursing Home. and also remembered the crew of Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 116 who were lost in Blacksod Bay four years ago.

Vincent Sweeney, Maureenโ€™s son and Lighthouse keeper in Black Sod thanked John J. Kelly and all involved in the tribute on behalf of his mother and her family.

Related News

court seat
Father tells court he did not know his son had been circumcised
catherine connolly noreen lynch 1
Irish Presidential front-runner Connolly dodges media during Mid-West stop
henry adams kieran considine 1-2
Liscannor.ie goes live as village's new official website
albert dolan sisters of mercy 1
โ‚ฌ1m allocated to rejuvenate old Sisters of Mercy convent in Gort
Latest News
raymond o'mahony david reidy 1-2
Reidy revels in the big day to deliver player of the week performance
big build clarecastle 1
Clarecastle family appear on RTร‰ as house undergoes renovation for teenager awaiting spinal surgery
catherine connolly noreen lynch 1
Irish Presidential front-runner Connolly dodges media during Mid-West stop
o'callaghans mills v parteen meelick 06-09-25 robbie madden 1
Madden hopeful Mills can lift the roof in PIHC decider
รฉire รณg v st josephs doora barefield 12-10-25 rg shane daniels 1
Daniels helps deliver historic success for ร‰ire ร“g
Premium
Daniels helps deliver historic success for ร‰ire ร“g
Inagh/Kilnamona win senior camogie championship for fifth time
Foudy & Inagh/Kilnamona looking to bridge five year gap for senior success
Malone clocks up the miles to help Corofin climb back to senior football ranks
No talk of three in a row for Truagh/Clonlara

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.