Press release by Manus O’Callaghan
Pat Falvey and Dr. Clare O’Leary were chosen as the Cork Persons of the Year yesterday (Jan 23rd ’09), to mark their historic expedition on foot to the South Pole, the first ever Irish expedition to do so.
Last January (‘08) Pat and Clare travelled more than 1100 km (680 miles) on foot to the South Pole in minus 32.5 c, temperatures, taking over 58 days and each of them hauled a sledge weighting in excess of 150 kg (330 lbs). They have both already scaled Mount Everest and the world’s seven highest summits, and are Ireland’s best know explorers, adventurers and mountaineers.
At the time President McAleese said the achievement which coincided with the hundredth anniversary of Ernest Shackleton’s first attempt on the South Pole was particularly poignant." The then Taoiseach said, “you are continuing a proud tradition of Irish adventurers and you should be very proud of your wonderful achievement.”
A representative group of 260 guests from all sectors of Cork society, gave the Person of the Year winners a standing ovation, at the Gala Awards lunch at the Sheraton Fota Island Hotel. Award M.C.s were RTE Newsreader Anne Doyle and M.E.P. Brian Crowley. The Award Judges were Cork City Manager Joe Gavin, Cork County Manager Martin Riordan and Hon., Chairman Bishop John Buckley.
The great benefit of award schemes is, they allow us tell the good news stories of Cork’s local heroes, and these inspirational stories are particularly important to lift our spirits, especially during recessionary times said Awards Organiser Manus O’Callaghan.
Speakers at the lunch, representing the award sponsors, were Tom Murphy, Chief Executive, Irish Examiner; Bride Rosney, Director of Communications RTE, John O’Flynn, General Manager, Sheraton Fota Island Hotel and Manus O’Callaghan of Southern Adv.
The Person of the Year award trophies were presented by Lord Mayor Brian Bermingham and the Mayor of Cork County Cllr. Noel Harrington.
The Persons of the Year were chosen from the Cork Persons of the Month picked last year. Cork Persons of Month from 2008
January: Pat Falvey & Dr. Clare O’Leary
- the Beyond Endurance Antarctic team to mark their historic 1140 km., walk, over 58 days, to the South Pole, in January ’08.
February: Tom McCarthy – on this, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Credit Union League, we mark Tom’s 40 plus years of voluntary service to the league.
March: Fr. James McSweeney – innovative parish work in city northside parishes that captured the imagination of young and old alike, such as a live animal crib at Christmas and spreading his love of nature through books, calendars and the web.
April: John Spillane – for his work in promoting Cork through his unique songs in Irish and English, this singer/songwriter maps our social history with songs such as Dunnes Stores Girl & Johnny Don’t go to Ballincollig.
May:
Anne Cleary – for empowering young people to take leadership in helping others, through her work as a youth leader with the Presentation Brothers Edmund Rice Action Movement.
June:
Niamh Gunn – the work of law hero Niamh, uncovered the evidence to set Walter Swift free from an American jail, after serving 26 years for a crime he did not commit.
July:
Ronan O’Gara – a glittering rugby career this year, including the Heineken Cup win and helping to establish the famous Munster brand throughout Ireland and beyond.
August:
Eleanor O’Sullivan – this young Ballymakeera girl believes in direct action to help the disadvantaged, and travelled alone to India to distribute clothes and help in children’s orphanages in Calcutta.
September: Tony Hegarty – celebrating his 60 year career in Cork theatre through cabaret, pantos, plays, musicals and The Swans. He’s worked as a performer, promoter and producer in every Cork theatre since the late 1940’s, and is very much a Cork comedian.
October:
Tom Butler – represents the best in volunteerism, through his work with Tidy Towns, School Boards, Credit Union, Residents Association, Scouts, Business Groups & Church. A great community activist especially through his leadership of the Tidy Town committee.
November:-
Gerry O’Sullivan – Professor O’Sullivan was recently awarded an honorary fellowship by the American College of Surgeons for his work, which includes the Cork Cancer Research Centre, one of the leading cancer research centres in Europe.
December:
Martin O’Donnell – as honorary chairman and medical officer Dr. Martin B. O’Donnell has maintained and enhanced the range of services for people with disabilities at St. Joseph’s Foundation, Charleville, which he helped found exactly 40 years ago in December 1968.
