Inspirational People

Over the past 38 years, the People of the Year Awards have recognised those who have shown tremendous courage, dedication and dynamism. Through their bravery, their perserverence, their talent, generosity and commitment, they have enriched the lives of others. Their stories are inspiring and reflect all that is best in the human spirit.

2011 Rory McIlroy Sports Person of the Year

For his inspiring determination, his talent and hard work leading to outstanding achievements on a world stage at a young age.

2011 Joan Freeman People of the Year

For her commitment and dedication to self-harm and suicide prevention through the work of Pieta House.

2011 AJ McCullough People of the Year

For his quick thinking under pressure and his bravery in coming to the rescue of the Attah family.

2011 Ronan Kerr People of the Year Award winner (Posthumous)

For the enormous bravery and commitment he showed in both his community and in his service to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

2011 Jackie Kelly Young Person of the Year

For her maturity, strength and motivation in the face of adversity.

2011 Skerries Community Community Group of the Year

For showing the power of community spirit during immense tragedy and difficulty and for helping two families to properly begin grieving for their loved ones.

2011 Edith Wilkins International Person of the Year

For her compassion, selflessness and unfaltering commitment to improving the lives of the people of India.

2011 Sharon Malloy Special Category, Best Friend of the Year

For going far beyond the call of duty to help and support a friend.

2011 Tall Ships Festival Waterford 2011 People of the Year

For the enormous voluntary and community effort that led to a hugely successful festival.

2011 Irish Cricket Team People of the Year Award

For being proud ambassadors for Ireland, showing courage and unfaltering determination under pressure.

2010 Graeme McDowell People of the Year Award

For inspiring and delighting us with his flair, focus and sheer determination to realise a magnificent dream, Graeme McDowell receives a People of the Year Award.

2010 Owen O'Keefe Young Person of the Year

For his ground-breaking achievement in becoming the youngest Irish person ever to complete the gruelling swim across the English Channel, a feat completed with a quiet determination that belied his years, Owen O’Keefe is named Young Person of the Year.

2010 Limerick Community Policing Unit Special Award - Garda of the Year

For their courage, ingenuity and outstanding dedication to the citizens of Limerick in working to make the community safer, the Garda Síochána Limerick Community Policing Unit is the winner of this year’s special award of Garda of the Year.

2010 The Hon. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness People of the Year Award

For her pioneering, courageous and long-standing service to Irish society, the Honourable Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness receives a People of the Year Award.

2010 Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) People of the Year

For its persuasiveness and ability to hold its nerve in the pursuit of its goals and for its relentless work in enabling Irish people to move closer to a society that respects all of its citizens equally, GLEN receives a People of the Year Award.

2010 Rio Hogarty Special Award - Inspiring Mum of the Year

For her generosity, incredible energy, kindness and amazing capacity to love and support children in need of her care, Rio Hogarty is awarded the Inspiring Mum of the Year Award.

2010 Dr Louise Ivers and Gena Heraty Joint Recipients of International Person of the Year

For their selflessness, generosity of spirit and tireless work for the Haitian people whose lives and country have been shattered, Gena Heraty and Dr Louise Ivers are joint recipients of the International Person of the Year Award.

2010 Families of the Victims of Bloody Sunday People of the Year Award

For their fortitude and dignity, and in recognition of their 38-year struggle which has resulted in the total exoneration of their loved ones, the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday are awarded a People of the Year Award.

2010 Emma Fogarty People of the Year Award

For her extraordinary campaigning work and determination to raise awareness of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) in the face of huge personal struggle, Emma Fogarty is awarded a People of the Year Award.

2010 Gerry Ryan People of theYear Award

For the fun, the stories, the light that he brought into our homes and into our lives for over 30 years, Gerry Ryan is posthumously awarded a People of the Year Award

2009 Steve Collins People of the Year Award

For his extraordinary bravery in the face of unimaginable loss and the continued threat to his life and the lives of his loved ones, Steve Collins receives a People of the Year Award.

2009 David Kelly People of the Year

For his immense contribution to stage and screen in Ireland and abroad, David Kelly receives a People of the Year Award.

2009 Irish Rugby Team People of the Year Award

For their skill, dedication and their sporting success and for lifting the entire nation during otherwise difficult days, the Irish rugby team receives a People of the Year Award.

2009 Eleanor Thomson People of the Year Award

For her kindness, her extraordinary compassion and her selfless devotion to a dying man, Eleanor Thomson receives a People of the Year Award

2009 Debbie Deegan International Person of the Year

For bringing love and hope to children who needed it most and for making a life-changing contribution to thousands of abondoned children, Debbie Deegan is honoured with the International Person of the Year Award

2009 Ronnie Drew People of the Year Award

For his crucial role in re-energising Ireland’s unique musical heritage and for his inspirational talent as a musician and vocalist that brought so much pleasure to so many people, Ronnie Drew is posthumously awarded a People of the Year Award.

2009 Sarah Kavanagh Young Person of the Year

For her immense courage in saving her sister from grave danger, Sarah Kavanagh receives the Young Person of the Year Award.

2009 Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) People of the Year Award

For its support and commitment to the development of a world-class hospice/palliative care service in Ireland, and for its vision for the future for all people facing the end of life, the Irish Hospice Foundation is awarded a People of the Year Award.

2009 Bernadette Lanigan Special Award to Nurse of the Year

For her unparalleled dedication, care and love for the children who attend the eye clinic in Temple Street Children's Hospital, Sister Bernadette Lanigan is the Nurse of the Year.

2009 Christine Buckley People of the Year Award

For her courage and tenacity in exposing one of the darkest chapters in the history of modern Ireland, Christine Buckley receives a People of the Year Award.

2009 Sylvia Meehan People of the Year Award

For giving a voice to those who might otherwise be forgotten and for her skill and tenacity in asserting the rights of older people, Sylvia Meehan is presented with a People of the Year Award

2009 Michael O'Brien People of the Year Award

For his dignity and raw honesty in recounting traumatic childhood experiences and for continuing to throw a spotlight on the abuse suffered by the most vulnerable in our society, Michael O’Brien receives a People of the Year Award.