They were honoured for Making County Monaghan a better place

By PATSY McARDLE

THE wonderful community spirit and dedicated resolve on the part of people in many varied communities throughout Co. Monaghan to devote time and energy in a voluntary capacity to help others,  and make their community a better place for all, both young and old, was signally recognized on Monday night last,  at the packed Iontas Theatre in Castleblayney, where the presentation of the Co. Monaghan Integrated Development Board’s fifth annual Community Achievement Awards  took place.

THERE was a very large and representative attendance at the event, with the recipients of the various awards reflecting outstanding voluntary community endeavour at urban and rural  level right across the county.

The general attendance included Gabriel O’Connell, CEO, Monaghan Integrated Development Board; Seamus Coyle M.C.C.,  Chairman of Co. Monaghan Integrated Development Board; Peter McArdle, Community  Development Team Leader; Regina Byrne, Community Development Officer, Monaghan Integrated Development Board;  Audrey Wilson, Volunteer Centre, Development Officer; Ann Malone, Department of Social Protection, Monaghan; Frances O’Callaghan, HSE Services for Older People; Mary Mullen, Monaghan Community Network and Cavan/Monaghan Leader ; Denis Durcan, Monaghan County Forum; Breda McKenna, Co. Monaghan Child Care Committee; Alice Forde, Rural Transport Programme;  and Aidan McCabe ICOS Representative on the Co. Monaghan Integrated Development Board.

The Mayor of Co. Monaghan, Cllr Jackie Crowe was in attendance, and the MC for the gala occasion was Aoife Carragher,  of AA Roadwatch.

Guest of Honour for the evening was Ms. Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia and former CEO of Special Olympics, Ireland.

Full report in The Northern Standard