Winners of 2025 Co. Monaghan Volunteer Awards Announced

The winners of the 2025 County Monaghan Volunteer Awards were announced on Sunday, 12th October, at a packed celebration in the Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney.

Organised by Monaghan Volunteer Centre, part of Monaghan Integrated Development (MID), the event brought together nominees, their families, friends, and organisations from across the county to recognise the enormous contribution of local volunteers.

Speaking at the event, Killian Cawley, the new CEO of MID, highlighted the huge range of voluntary activity in Monaghan, covering health, sport, environment, social care, emergency support, community development and more. Jake Ryan, Principal Officer at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht also addressed the audience, acknowledging the vital role of volunteers in supporting communities across Ireland. Jake outlined a recent study that demonstrated the impact on society if all volunteers suddenly stopped volunteering. The impact would be catastrophic.

The event included a fantastic performance from the local choir Serenata, adding a celebratory atmosphere to the afternoon.

Volunteer Centre Coordinator, Sinéad Keenan, together with Eoin Treanor, Development Worker at Monaghan Volunteer Centre, presented the shortlisted nominees before announcing the winners across four categories:

Volunteer of the Year:

This category recognises an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to their community through their dedication, commitment, and impact on others.

Winner: Linda Moore, Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes
For the past six years, Linda Moore has been the backbone of Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes. Serving as Secretary, Phone Controller and Driver, Linda manages 24/7 hospital calls, organises fundraising, recruits volunteers, and ensures the safe delivery of blood, medical supplies, and breast milk. She played a crucial role in securing national award wins and steered the charity through leadership transitions. Beyond logistics, Linda’s commitment has had a direct and deeply personal impact, lightening the load for parents of terminally ill children and ensuring urgent deliveries reach hospitals on time. Her passion and dedication make her an irreplaceable part of both the organisation and the wider community.

 

Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award:

This category honours a volunteer whose long-term service and commitment to the community demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact over many years.

Winner: Gerry Atkinson, Annyalla Cremartin Community First Responders and Civil Defence
With 39 years of voluntary service, Gerry Atkinson has been a steady, skilled presence in moments of crisis. Through his work with Civil Defence, the Community First Responders, and as a First Aider with Cremartin GAA, Gerry has saved lives, mentored new volunteers, and provided comfort to families at their most vulnerable times. Known for his humility and reliability, he is as likely to be found on the GAA sideline as he is visiting nursing homes with his husky, Bella. Gerry’s dedication to helping others without ever seeking recognition makes him a shining example of lifelong volunteerism.

 

Volunteer Team of the Year:

This category recognises two or more volunteers who regularly work together demonstrating teamwork, dedication, and a shared commitment to serving their community.

Winner: Clones Funeral Stewards: In Clones, there is a very special tradition of bringing loved ones down Fermanagh Street on their final journey. It’s not a simple task, it means stopping traffic on a busy one-way street, but thanks to the Clones Funeral Stewards Group, every family is given that respect.

Since 2022, 24 local volunteers, from Gardaí to business owners and retirees, have quietly stepped forward. With nothing more than a WhatsApp message and their yellow “Funeral Steward” vests, they give families one less worry at the hardest of times. They do this with dignity, compassion, and care, and while they hope for long breaks between pings on their phones, their presence means the world to every bereaved family. This group shows the very best of community spirit in Clones.

 

Volunteer Group of the Year:

This category celebrates an organised group or committee that has collectively contributed to the development, support, or enrichment of their local community.

Winner: Knockatallon Development Company CLG
This voluntary board oversees Sliabh Beagh Hotel & Tourism Centre, Ireland’s only community-owned hotel, and has been the driving force in transforming a rural area that once faced serious challenges, including emigration and empty homes, into a thriving community hub.

Members give their time freely to sustain 30 local jobs and keep the hotel, bar, restaurant, and function spaces open all year round. But their impact goes beyond hospitality, they run the Meals to the Elderly programme, support local childcare, sports facilities, and playgrounds, and provide free meeting spaces for community groups.

From securing funding to organising social events, this board has worked tirelessly to ensure the centre remains at the heart of the community for decades to come.

 

Monaghan Volunteer Centre and Monaghan Integrated Development would like to thank everyone involved in the event, including the nominees and those who took the time to nominate them, judges, all who attended, those who presented trophies, Serenata choir, and the Íontas Theatre staff.

Special thanks also go to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for assisting with the costs of the event and to principal officer Jake Ryan for attending and speaking at the event. Thanks also to Vicki O’Connell of Volunteer Ireland for attending and presenting one of the awards.

Full List of Nominations

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises an individual whose exceptional contribution has made a real difference to their community.

• Linda Moore: Cu Chulainn Blood Bikes (Winner)
• Patrick Hannon: Monaghan Harps Hurling Club
• Mary Byrne: Irish Heart Foundation
• Heather Simpson: Down Syndrome Centre North East
• Aigbe Sandra Liberty: Carrickmacross Tidy Towns
• Amy Hannon: Monaghan Special Olympics & Arch Club

 

Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award

Honouring long-term volunteers whose decades of service have left a lasting legacy in Monaghan, the nominees are:

• Gerry Atkinson: Annyalla Cremartin Community First Responders (Winner)
• Anthony Keogh: Monaghan Civil Defence
• Ann Treanor: Errigal Truagh Special Needs
• Sharon Casey: CAMRY (Cavan and Monaghan Rainbow Youth)
• Rosaleen Kearney: Inniskeen Enterprise and Development Group
• Mary Mullen: Knockatallon Development Company CLG
• Carl Laverty: Oram Community Development Association & Oram GFC

 

 

Volunteer Team of the Year

Celebrating two or more volunteers who work together regularly, demonstrating teamwork and shared commitment, the nominees are:

• Clones Funeral Stewards (Winner)
• Monaghan Alzheimer Volunteer Branch
• Vision Ireland – Monaghan Branch Volunteers
• Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre Volunteer Helpers
• Colin Gillanders & Aileen Campbell – Monaghan Pony Club
• Alone Ireland – Monaghan Volunteers
• The Down Syndrome Centre North East Volunteers
• Vision Ireland – Carrickmacross Branch Volunteers
• Flower Power Team – Carrickmacross Tidy Towns.
• Carrickmacross Tidy Towns.

 

Volunteer Group of the Year

This award recognises voluntary committees or groups who collectively enrich the community through sustained effort and initiatives. The nominees are:

• Knockatallon Development Company CLG (Winner)
• SOSAD Monaghan
• Wednesday Club Emyvale
• SOLAS Drop-In Centre
• Carrickmacross Tidy Towns
• 3rd Monaghan Scout Group – Carrickmacross
• Killygoan Allotments

 

Get Involved!
To find out more about volunteering, or if your voluntary group would like new volunteers, please contact Monaghan Volunteer Centre at 047 72191 or info@volunteermonaghan.ie, or visit www.volunteermonaghan.ie.  Monaghan Volunteer Centre is run by Monaghan Integrated Development. MID is the local development company for Co. Monaghan and provides a wide range of services for individuals and communities. Find out more at www.midl.ie