People of Year ‘lighten gloom’

THE newest People of the Year showed bravery, genius and generosity in many challenging situations but their greatest achievement may well have been to crack the seemingly impossible task of lightening the public gloom of the last 12 months.

The sporting brilliance of golfer Graeme McDowell was honoured with one of the 2010 awards for not only lifting the coveted US Open trophy, but Ireland’s mood with it, while Dr Louise Ivers and Gena Heraty jointly received the International Person of the Year award for bringing hope to Haiti through their work with vulnerable children and destitute families on the earthquake-stricken island.

Ten awards in total were presented at the weekend ceremony to people from all walks of life who were nominated by the public.