Louth Volunteer Leader Awards Announced

Louth Volunteer Centre, in collaboration with Louth Public Participation Network (Louth PPN), is proud to announce the winners of the county’s Volunteer Leader Awards for 2024. This prestigious event took place on November 5th at the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk, coinciding with International Volunteer Managers Day. The awards recognize the invaluable contributions made by volunteer leaders, who empower and inspire others to make a difference in their local community.

The awards ceremony gathered all nominees and their personal guest for a celebratory lunch and ceremony of appreciation. Every nominee was acknowledged for their tireless efforts in supporting volunteers and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. Two outstanding winners were celebrated by Louth Volunteer Centre for their exceptional dedication and leadership in the categories of Louth Volunteer Leader of the Year and Leading Young Volunteers. These awardees have demonstrated outstanding passion, innovation, and commitment in supporting, encouraging and leading their fellow volunteers in Louth.

The winner of the Louth Volunteer Leader of the Year Award was Eileen McCormack of Vision Ireland (formerly National Council for the Blind). Eileen has been involved with the group for 7 years and is the Ardee Store Manager. She is a passionate retailer, who loves being a part of the Ardee community, there's rarely a customer who comes into the store that she doesn't know.  

According to Eileen’s nomination, the volunteers at the Ardee store “adore Eileen for her unique way of encouragement within her team, which has allowed volunteers who have never worked before to develop skills to help them succeed.” It also said “Eileen is deeply passionate about volunteers. She is so kind, has amazing patience and is a great listener, she takes time with all her volunteers and helps encourage them to be a better version of themselves. If a Volunteer is keen to develop retail skills and gain employment, she will 100% support them and teaches them all they need to know.” On receiving her award, Eileen modestly shared with us “Privileged and honoured. I will continue to encourage and inspire new volunteers”

The winner of our Leading Young Volunteers Award was Fiona O’Connell of Drogheda Pantomime Society. Fiona is the Writer and Director of the much-loved annual festive event, which for so many families is the highlight of the holiday season.  

Her nominator described how Fiona “encourages inclusion and provides a safe space for the children of the town to be creative in drama and dance. She leads by example promotes positive friendships”. It went on to say Fiona “helps build confidence from backstage to onstage. She promotes open communication and creativity”. Fiona told us at the ceremony “All the years of Volunteering, it was all worth it. I will keep going till I die”.

Three further awards were presented by the Louth PPN in the areas of Social Inclusion, Community and Voluntary and Environmental, which corollate with the three Pillars of the PPN.  

In the area of Social Inclusion, the award went to Drogheda & District Support for Older People, represented by Brendan Boylan. Councillor Fiona Mhic Chonchille accepted the Community and Voluntary award on behalf of Cooley Community Alert. Haggardstown Tidy Towns won the Environmental award with Shane Mc Guinness presented with this one.  

The dedication and passion of all 5 Awardees and all the Louth nominees has been an igniting force in supporting others to get involved in volunteering.  

Kayleigh Mulligan, Manager of Louth Volunteer Centre, shared her thoughts on the significance of the awards: " Behind every successful event, project, and initiative is a team of unsung heroes who, with dedication and care, bring people together, aligning their passions to meet our community’s needs.
Managing volunteers isn’t just about scheduling and tasks; it’s about inspiring people to give their time, to feel valued, and to make an impact. This role requires empathy, patience, and vision, and the people who take it on are truly exceptional. They are the connectors, the motivators, and the ones who keep the momentum going, ensuring that volunteers feel engaged, supported, and empowered.
One of the great pleasures of organising this award is reading through the nominations we receive. It’s incredibly uplifting to see the depth and range of work being done – work that’s making a tangible difference in people’s lives and building stronger, more resilient communities. Each nomination is a window into the amazing stories unfolding every day, thanks to the dedication of our volunteer coordinators.”

Louth PPN is our county’s network of community, voluntary, social inclusion, and environmental organizations. Together, they work to enhance the quality of life for all citizens, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose through collaborative efforts.

Louth Volunteer Centre connects individuals who want to volunteer with organizations that need volunteers. The Centre provides a range of services, including volunteer placement, support, training, and Garda Vetting. It serves the entire county of Louth, promoting volunteerism as a means of community development, active citizenship, and social capital. Louth Volunteer Centre believes in the value and benefits of volunteering for individuals, organizations, and society at large. For more information, find all our contact details below or find us across all your favourite social media platforms.  

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