Limerick Person of the Year 2024 is Inventor of Life Changing Chemotherapy Treatment, Olivia Humphreys

07 March 2025

Twenty-four-year-old UL Graduate Olivia Humphreys has been named Limerick Person of the Year 2024 at a ceremony in the Clayton Hotel in Limerick today (Friday 07 March 2025). Olivia, from Pallasgreen, was honoured for her life-changing invention for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, which previously secured her the prestigious James Dyson 2024 award.

Olivia was Limerick Person of the Month 2024 for November. Her creation, ‘Athena,’ is a portable, thermoelectric battery-operated scalp cooling device for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment which is more cost-effective and time-saving than hospital models, without compromising on quality.

She was inspired to create ‘Athena’ having seen her mum go through chemotherapy in hospital.

Receiving the Limerick Person of the Year 2024 award, Olivia Humphreys expressed her excitement, saying:

“Being a part of this has been so lovely, but actually winning it has been an adrenaline rush really. I didn't expect it at all and it's really humbling and exciting to be part of it. I'm delighted!”

Olivia was inspired to create ‘Athena’ having seen her mum Vicky go through chemotherapy in hospital. 

Olivia added:

“The work that went into Athena was a lot and to have it recognised is really lovely. I know mum's going to be so happy. She was the inspiration. I was in final year of product design in university in UL and I wanted to do something big. I wanted to solve a big problem and I was looking at things like sustainability and climate change, and mom was like, ‘you know what's really needed is looking at chemotherapy treatment and cancer care treatment and addressing the theme of hair loss during chemotherapy.”

The University of Limerick (UL) graduate is now working as Research and Development Engineer at Luminate Medical in Galway working on medical device tech and has been in New York working on a clinical trial for the device.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran congratulated all the winners of Limerick Person of the Month in 2024, saying:

“The Limerick Person of the Month and Limerick Person of the Year Awards are a fantastic celebration of outstanding members of our community. Each recipient is truly deserving of the recognition they receive. Heartfelt congratulations to Olivia Humphreys, our Limerick Person of the Year 2024. Her innovative work with 'Athena' is set to revolutionise chemotherapy treatment, a subject close to my heart, and we look forward to seeing its positive impact on patients' lives.”

Hall of Fame

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, posthumously inducted three of Limerick’s favourite sons, Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny and John Murphy into the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame. The honour aims to celebrate the most renowned ambassadors for Limerick, marking their achievements and ability to use their talents for the greater good.

Johnny Duhan was honoured for his “abundance of musical talent.” The late Mr Duhan, who died in November 2024, grew up on Wolfe Tone Street in Limerick city, and is most well known for having written The Voyage. 
Jon Kenny, the actor, poet, writer and comedian was remembered for his “longtime dedication and passion for putting a smile on people's faces and provoking thought through his work.”
John Murphy was honoured as “a champion of Limerick theatre, a storyteller, actor, director, writer and believer in the power of the arts to transform and heal.”

Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny and John Murphy join the late musician and The Cranberries frontwoman, Dolores O’Riordan along with Ireland’s oldest busker Tom McNamara in the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame.

Mayor Moran commented:

“Today’s celebration was made even more special by honouring the Hall of Fame inductees, who have gone too soon but have left behind legacies that continue to inspire. All three significantly contributed to the cultural and artistic fabric of Limerick.”

Now in its 24th year, the Limerick Person of the Month and Limerick Person of the Year honours are jointly sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design and Media, and the Clayton Hotel. The initiative is supported by Limerick City and County Council.

Áine Fitzgerald, Managing Editor of the Limerick Leader, said:

“The Limerick Leader/Limerick Live is honoured to be part of the Limerick Person of the Year awards. This event celebrates the remarkable achievements of our monthly winners, who embody ambition, hope, and selflessness. It's an honour to be part of their journey. We are also proud to recognise the very worthy posthumous Hall of Fame inductees, Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny, and John Murphy."

Dave O'Hora, Managing Director of Southern, commented:

"At Southern, we are genuinely honoured to support these awards. Every year, I make it a point to remind everyone that this is not a competition. No one entered; they were nominated by their peers. The individuals chosen are a testament to the collective achievements and hard work of everyone involved. Our Hall of Fame inductees have shown exceptional talent and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy in Limerick that we all cherish."

Darren Harding, General Manager of Clayton Hotel Limerick, stated:

"The Clayton Hotel Limerick is thrilled to once again host the Limerick Person of the Year awards. This event is one of our favourites, and witnessing the pride, passion, and energy in the hotel on awards day is truly amazing. It's inspiring to see such dedicated, resilient, and passionate individuals come together in one place. We eagerly anticipate continuing this tradition of celebrating excellence within our community."

Limerick Persons of the Month 2024

The Limerick Persons of the Month 2024 are individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to their fields and the Limerick community, making them worthy contenders for the Limerick Person of the Year 2024.

The Limerick Persons of the Month 2024 were:

January: Seán O’Sullivan

Achievement: Winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

Contribution: Developed "VerifyMe," a new approach to authorship attribution in the era of A.I.

February: Shane Sheehy

Achievement: Owner of a Limerick-dedicated bar in Lanzarote.

Contribution: Created a "taste of home" for Limerick people abroad, showcasing Limerick's history and heritage.

March: Gareth Bromell

Achievement: International Celebrity hairstylist.

Contribution: Works with celebrities and major fashion brands, maintaining strong ties to his Limerick roots.

April: Organisers of Monagea for CRY

Achievement: Raised approximately €500,000 for CRY Ireland over 10 years.

Contribution: Fundraising in memory of loved ones lost to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

May: The People’s Museum of Limerick

Achievement: Helping the public understand the social, political and cultural forces that have enriched the story of Limerick.

Contribution: Reflects the diverse lives and history of Limerick while providing a space for artistic and cultural events.

June: John Liddy

Achievement: Poet with a long-standing career.

Contribution: Published numerous poetry collections and co-founded The Stony Thursday Book.

July: Hayleigh Kiely

Achievement: ISKA World Kickboxing Champion.

Contribution: Recognised for her dedication and success in martial arts and as a Limerick ambassador in sport.

August: Róisín Ní Ríain

Achievement: Paralympian swimmer and winner of two medals (Silver and Bronze) in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Contribution: Balances academic work with a rigorous training schedule, inspiring many.

September: Eugene Wall

Achievement: Former President of Mary Immaculate College.

Contribution: Over 44 years of service in education, significantly impacting MIC and the Limerick community.

October: Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP)

Achievement: Contributed to Limerick's regeneration and economic development.

Contribution: Supported community projects and provided employment and training opportunities.

November: Olivia Humphreys (Winner – Limerick Person of the Year 2024)

Achievement: Winner of the James Dyson 2024 award.

Contribution: Invented 'Athena,' a portable scalp cooling device for chemotherapy patients, inspired by her mother's experience with cancer treatment.

December: Ellen Gannon