Killaloe’s Mary O’Mara has been named as the Clare Older People’s Volunteer of the Year for 2021.
With 40 years of volunteering under her belt Mary 3QW nominated for her contribution to a variety of organisations in Killaloe including the Scouts, the Apostolic Society and the Killaloe/Ballina Family Resource Centre.
One example of her trojan work was during the pandemic where she helped the local Family Resource Centre distribute 150 food hampers to those most in need last Christmas. She not only helps those most vulnerable in our communities but lends her support to the community workers in the area too. She has been cited as their “mentor” and “guide” especially these past 18 months.
Hosted by the Clare Older People’s Council and supported by Clare County Council, the awards took place at The Temple Gate Hotel on Thursday last. Mary received an engraved glass trophy and a One4All voucher from Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing), who is Clare’s Age Friendly Ambassador.
Opening the event, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND), spoke of the importance of voluntary work to local communities and of how such work contributes to the resolution of challenges faced by those communities.
Keynote speaker, Dr Rose Galvin, Associate Professor at the School of Allied Health, University of Limerick (UL), and senior member of UL’s Ageing Research Committee, spoke of staying active and healthy as we age and the importance of maintaining intergenerational relationships.
Clare Age Friendly Ambassador, Mike Hanrahan, congratulated the winner and all the nominees, who received a framed certificate of recognition for the fact that they had been nominated by their communities.
