Local heroes

There are few things as comforting, apart from bullet-proof personal relationships, than a secure place in an active, united, and caring community.

Indeed, that spirit can define and help a community find a kind of redemption in the depth of tragedy or attrition. More than 70 years after the event Londoners still, justifiably, speak with pride of the Blitz Spirit that sustained them through their darkest days of World War II.

Last year, the people of Union Hall in West Cork had to face tragedy when the Tit Bonhomme trawler sank on Jan 15. Five men died.

The tragedy sparked one of the largest and most concentrated search and recovery operations in the history of the State. It went on for 26 days and the community never wavered in its determination to do all it could to comfort the bereaved families.

The people of Union Hall were yesterday awarded the Cork Person of the Year award for their inspiring unity. Though other communities have responded to tragedy with similar determination, the communal response to the Tit Bonhomme tragedy showed humanity at its best.

Like virtue, community is its own reward.