O’Doherty first female winner of community award
The Fitzgerald Memorial Award 2003 has been awarded to a Mitchelstown farmer’s wife, Margaret O’Doherty, who was shortlisted with eight other nominees from throughout Munster, including a former National President of IFA.
Margaret, who has devoted more than 40 years to voluntary community service in a wide range of organisations and bodies in her region, was described as “an absolute inspiration and living example of dedication to community care, development and achievement”.
She was presented with a specially sculpted medal and a cheque for €1,300 during the award ceremony at Adare, Co Limerick.
The award commemorates the late Paddy Fitzgerald, Caherconlish, who devoted his life to NFA and IFA and served as a Munster vice-president of IFA and vice-chairman of the Cork Marts-IMP Group.
Also shortlisted were Willie Corbett, Corofin, Co Clare; Donal Cashman, Whites Cross, Co Cork; James O’Mahony, Kilcrohane, Co Cork; Tom Lawlor, Ballyheigue, Co Kerry; Colman Danaher, Ballyagran, Co Limerick; Martin McCabe, Newport, Co Tipperary; Luke Hally, Springmount, Clonmel, Co Tipperary; and Michael Kiely, Old Parish, Co Waterford.
Margaret O’Doherty comes from Croughevoe, Mitchelstown. She is a founder member of the Mitchelstown branch of the Irish Red Cross, a Legion of Mary member since 1957, an ICA member since 1966, and a founder member of Mitchelstown Community Council. She initiated the Mitchelstown Disadvantaged Areas Appeal Committee, organised Mitchelstown Development, initiated the setting up of the local Day Care Centre and Community Alert as well as the local Community pre-School Group to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and she set up a support group for single mothers.
She is a member of the IFA Farm Family Group, a member of the National Executive of Muinter na Tire and runs the Vincent de Paul Active Retirement Group. She has written and published two books on local history and is currently in her second year of the UCC Women’s Study Diploma Course.
She was married to William in 1964 and devoted the following 10 years to her family of four, her school work and helping with the work of running the farm.
The attendance at the award presentation included IFA President John Dillon; Michael Berkery, Chief Executive, IFA; Donal Kelly, Munster vice-president, IFA; former winners of the award; and IFA officers from all over Munster.
