Awards to honour voluntary efforts of people in rural communities

The voluntary efforts of people in rural communities are to be celebrated at the 2012 Paddy Fitzgerald Memorial Awards in Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick, on Oct 14, with a €2,000 top prize.

The nine nominees for this year’s awards are: Michael Lynch, Clare; Richie O’Connor, Cork Central; Denis O’Brien, North Cork; Denis Regan, West Cork; Richard Hartnett, Kerry; Josie Ahern, Limerick; Mary Lanigan Ryan, North Tipperary; Mary Slattery, South Tipperary; and John O’Mahony, Waterford.

Paddy Fitzgerald was a founding member of the IFA and a vice-chairman of Cork Marts. He was a beef and dairy farmer from Caherconlish, Co Limerick.