Wanted: Inspirational People
22 March 2010
The Search is on to find Ireland’s People of the Year 2010
The People of the Year Awards, Ireland’s national awards ceremony that celebrates the country’s most inspiring citizens, has today (Monday, 22 March 2010) launched its 2010 call for nominations and is asking people to nominate their inspirational heroes.
In the breathtaking setting of Dublin’s new Grand Canal Theatre, acting legend David Kelly, Olympic boxer Kenny Egan and writer Brian Keenan (previous People of the Year Award recipients in 2009, 2008 and 1990) joined Clelia Murphy from RTÉ’s Fair City and schoolchildren from St Patrick’s BNS and St Patrick’s GNS in Ringsend to sound the nominations rallying cry to the people of Ireland.
The Awards, which are organised by Rehab, sponsored by QUINN-healthcare and broadcast before a live television audience of hundreds of thousands on RTÉ One, take place on Saturday 11th September, 2010, in Dublin.
Now in their 36th year, the People of the Year Awards which are attended by a veritable Who’s Who of Irish society, provide a unique opportunity for the Irish public to honour simply outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations to life in Ireland. Previous winners have come from all walks of life, from all age groups and from all backgrounds – all with one thing in common – their wonderful deeds have stirred the hearts of a nation.
The winners of the People of the Year Awards are nominated by members of the public and finalised by a panel of adjudicators. In addition to the International Person of the Year and the Young Person of the Year (under 25 years of age), a number of exciting categories have been introduced this year including Sports Person of the Year and Community Group of the Year. Other People of the Year Awards are also presented for achievements in the areas of arts and culture, and public sector achievement, among others.
Commenting on the occasion of the launch, Dónal Clancy, General Manager, QUINN-healthcare said:
“QUINN-healthcare is delighted to be involved with the People of the Year Awards for the fourth year running. Over the last few years, we have been overwhelmed by the truly incredible stories of each and every winner and 2010’s Awards will bring deserved recognition to some of the extraordinary people who contribute to Irish society in many different ways.”
Angela Kerins, Rehab Chief Executive, added:
“There are many, many heroes all over Ireland whose achievements deserve wider recognition and the People of the Year Awards are all about recognising these individuals and organisations. The Awards night honours these inspirational people, and shows us all what we can achieve with hard work, determination, and passion. With new categories for 2010 and a spectacular show lined up, I have no doubt that this year will be the most compelling yet in the history of the Awards. We do, however, need your help and I would encourage the people of Ireland to take the time to nominate these unsung heroes before the 15th June 2010.”
Eddie Doyle, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment Programming, RTÉ Television, commented:
“The People of the Year Awards are always a huge draw to the Irish television viewing public, who watch in hundreds of thousands to witness the great work of such remarkable citizens. At its core, the Awards deliver a very positive message about individual and collective responsibility; of selflessness, bravery and heroism; of the difference that such qualities and attitudes make to life in this country. These are stories that any public service broadcaster would be proud to tell. RTÉ certainly is. And we remain committed and look forward to working with Rehab and QUINN-healthcare in reaching out and telling this year's stories.”
Past winners of the People of the Year Awards include Sir Bob Geldof, Padraig Harrington, Mary Robinson, Veronica Guerin, Mo Mowlam, Christy Moore, Darren Sutherland, Kenny Egan, Keith Duffy, the Irish Rugby Team and Brian O’Driscoll.
Nomination forms are also available from Rehab, Roslyn Park, Sandymount, Dublin 4 or by telephoning (01) 205 7200. All entries should include details of the nominee and the reasons why he/she should win an Award.
ENDS
For additional information and interview requests with previous winners, Rehab or QUINN-healthcare, please contact:
Don Delaney, Rehab
Tel: +353 1 205 7311 / +353 86 835 8575
Notes to Editors
About Rehab
Rehab is a leading non-governmental organisation which works towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential. Over 3,350 Rehab staff members provide high-quality health and social care, training and education, and rehabilitation, employment and commercial services in Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands and Poland. The people who currently use Rehab services include young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, people with autism and people with an acquired brain injury. A range of essential services is also provided to older people, carers and others who are marginalised. Every year, more than 50,000 people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in over 200 locations. For more information see www.rehab.ie
About QUINN-healthcare
Based in Co Cork, QUINN-healthcare has a wealth of experience in the healthcare market, and has earned a reputation for professionalism and expertise in providing healthcare solutions to both individuals and companies. The company has gone from strength to strength through its commitment to excellent customer service, the many new benefits that have been introduced and by continuing to provide the best value health insurance in the market. For more information see www.quinn-healthcare.com
ABOUT RTÉ
RTÉ is Ireland’s Public Service Broadcaster. RTÉ operates two complementary television channels, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two, and eleven nationwide radio stations, consisting of four FM services RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and seven digital services RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ Junior, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ Chill and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. RTÉ also publishes Ireland’s best-selling magazine, the RTÉ Guide, operates Ireland’s leading teletext service, RTÉ Aertel, and provides up-to-date news, current affairs and entertainment information via Ireland’s most popular media website, RTÉ.ie. RTÉ is also a major contributor to the arts in Ireland and supports five performing groups – the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and RTÉ Cór na nÓg. For more information see www.rte.ie
People of the Year Award Winners (2000 – 2009)
2009 Irish Rugby Team, Brian O’Driscoll, Steve Collins, Christine Buckley, Michael O’Brien, Sarah Kavanagh Debbie Deegan, David Kelly, Eleanor Thomson, Sylvia Meehan, Irish Hospice Foundation, Bernadette Lanigan
2008 Rose Uí Shúilleabháin, Fr Shay Cullen, Ronan Hayes, Orla Tinsley, Keith Duffy, Nuala O’Loan, Scouting Ireland, Robert McLoughlin, Joe Dolan, Kenny Egan, Darren Sutherland, Paddy Barnes
2007 Padraig Harrington, Christy Moore, Maureen Forrest, Gerald Killeen, Sean Creamer, Jane McKenna, Fáilte Isteach, Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair MP and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA
2006 Tommy Tiernan, Munster Rugby Team, Anita McCluskey, James Nesbitt, Mags Riordan, Alan Kerins, Chinedu Onyejelem
2005 Sir Terry Wogan, Sir Bob Geldof, Sean Kelly, Students of Palmerstown Community School, Fr Peter McVerry SJ, Bridgeen Hagans and the McCartney Sisters, Marian Finucane, David Joyce
2004 Sonia O’Sullivan, Emma Synnott, Fr Kieran Creagh, Patrick McAweeney, Jonathan Irwin and Jack & Jill Foundation, Iseult O’Malley, Siobhan Phelan and Peter Ward, Rev. Roy Magee
2003 Mary Davis, Dermot Weld, Peter Canavan, Ita Bourke, Dr Mike Meegan, Niall Mellon, Ciara McMahon, Niamh Ní Dhoibhlin
2002 Niall Quinn, Rosemary Daly, Caroline Casey, Joe Kernan, TK Whitaker, Colm O’Gorman, Martin Gildea, Francis Fitzsimons
2001 Fr J Linus Ryan, Kathy Sinnott, Aidan O’Brien, Daráine Ní Mhaolmhichil, Tony Paget, Sorcha McKenna, Fr Mychal Judge and New York City Rescue Services
2000 Maeve Binchy, Sean Scollan, Ted and Ruby Walsh, Rita Lawlor, Dr Mo Mowlam, The Boyne Rescue & Recovery Service, Christina Noble
Other previous winners (1975-1999) are available on request or at www.peopleoftheyear.com
Back to news listing...