Suicide awareness campaigner named 2015 Limerick Person Of The Year

Katie Whelan was named the youngest ever winner of prestigious annual award today (Thursday, 18 February 2016) at a gala awards lunch in the Clarion Hotel, Limerick where other nominees, including racehorse trainer Enda Bolger, Limerick's All Ireland winning Under 21 hurlers and LIT President Dr Maria Hinfelaar, also gathered.

Now in its 15th year and sponsored by The Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design & Media and the Clarion Hotel, the Limerick Person of the Year Awards was set up to honour the achievements and success of local people.

Katie, who hails from the Dublin Road, won the support of thousands of people and organisations such as Limerick City and County Council for her project, which saw life-affirming messages placed on Thomond Bridge.

Katie teamed up with Limerick company Alphaset to produce the Perspex boxes which displayed the messages including ‘Add friends to your tea’, ‘Take a deep breath’ and ‘Turn that frown upside down’.  They were named ‘Lisa’s Lights’ in honour of her beloved cousin.

Today's ceremony also saw Denis Brosnan being made an Honorary Limerickman in recognition of his "outstanding contribution towards the revival of Limerick and the Mid-West region, at a time when leadership and vision were so badly needed". Although from Kerry, Mr. Brosnan has lived in Croom, Co Limerick, for many years and is a highly regarded member of the local community through his chairmanship of the Limerick Economic Forum and his chairing of the task force set up in the aftermath of the closure of Dell's manufacturing division.

Past winners of the tile of Honorary Limerickman include philanthropist JP McManus, world champion boxer Andy lee, rugby stars Paul O'Connell and Tony Ward, author Donal Ryan, transatlantic rower Paul Gleeson and Thomond Park developer Pat Whelan.

This year's Limerick Person of the Year judging panel consisted of Alan English, Editor of The Limerick Leader; Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council; and Cllr. Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick.

"This award scheme is a wonderful initiative that covers a broad spectrum of accomplishments, ranging from excellence on the sporting field, to community endeavours which make a positive contribution to local society, to invaluable contributions to education and business in the Mid-West region," said Mayor Galvin.

Speaking about the 2015 Limerick Person Of The Year, Mayor Galvin said, "Last May, many hundreds of people stood on Thomond Bridge with Katie and in solidarity with those who need a helping hand in their darkest days. It is my hope and belief that her project will continue to spread a message of hope and will help light a path for many people.

"I particularly want to commend Katie for involving the promotion of suicide awareness through education by advocating that our young people should be shown the reality of the pain that is caused for the families of those who take their own lives. We can only begin to tackle the issue of suicide once we fully comprehend its implications," added the Mayor.

Limerick Leader editor Alan English said, "Katie is a wonderfully deserving Limerick Person of the Year. For someone so young to make a fantastic initiative like Lisa's Lights happen was hugely impressive."

"So many Limerick families have been devastated by the scourge of suicide and Katie wanted to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, had lost the will to live. Her idea resonated with many people. Limerick is proud of her and she is a credit to her family," added Mr. English.

The 2015 nominees were:

• January - Katie Whelan for the determination she showed in highlighting the importance of positive mental health, after losing her first cousin to suicide.
• February - Ballyneety Golf Club members for bringing the facility back to life as a thriving golf and community amenity were recognised with a Limerick Person of the Month award.
• March – The parents of the late Darragh O’Brien who lost their only child (2) from a sudden unexplained death. The couple raised over €20,000 for a charity which supports suddenly bereaved parents and families.
• April - Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) for undertaking a massive clean-up day in both Limerick city and county took place on Good Friday
• May – Racehorse trainer Enda Bolger for achieving an elusive treble with hunter chaser On The Fringe which triumphed at the three major spring jumping festivals.
• June – Robert Laffan for opening new channels of communication with his autistic daughter thanks to the development of a device which may revolutionise one-to-one contact with people who have non-verbal disabilities.
• July – Jockey Brian Toomey for his remarkable display of courage, grit and determination in returning to the saddle after been given just a 3% chance of survival, having suffered a devastating fall in 2013.
• August – Ashleigh O’Hagan, Limerick’s only athlete to compete at the Special Olympic World Games in LA where she secured two bronze medals and three place ribbons.
• September – The Limerick Under-21 hurlers for ending a 13-year famine by claiming the distinctive Cross of Cashel All-Ireland trophy and, in turn, the U21 All-Ireland title.
• November – Sharon Slater of Limerick Museum and Archives for her passion for Limerick’s storied history and her ability to convey that passion to the people of the city, county and far beyond via her website Limerick’s Life.
• December – Dr Maria Hinfelaar for overseeing a major period of expansion and innovation at Limerick Institute of Technology during her 11 years as president.

BIOGRAPHIES OF NOMINEES:

Katie Whelan - Katie Whelan was honoured for the determination she showed in highlighting the importance of positive mental health, after losing her first cousin to suicide. The 19-year-old who hails from the Dublin Road, won the support of thousands of people – and crucially Limerick City and County Council – for her project, which saw life-affirming messages placed on Thomond Bridge. One of the youngest winners of the Limerick Person of the Month, Katie teamed up with Limerick company Alphaset to produce the perspex boxes which displayed the messages including ‘Add friends to your tea’, ‘Take a deep breath’ and ‘Turn that frown upside down’. They were named ‘Lisa’s Lights’ in honour of her beloved cousin. Her story was covered by both local and national media. At a launch ceremony, attended by Munster star Keith Earls, the Ardscoil Mhuire student said the reaction had been unbelievable.

Ballyneety Golf Club members - The successful efforts of the committee behind Ballyneety Golf Club in bringing the facility back to life as a thriving golf and community amenity were recognised with a Limerick Person of the Month award. Originally opened in 1994 as a privately operated golf club, the 18-hole course went into liquidation in February 2011. The following year, three men  Liam Lawlor, Donal McSweeney and Minie O’Brien came together to see what could be done to restore what was in danger of becoming a derelict facility. They devised a plan to purchase the 183-acre site and the original team gathered around them a group of committed individuals to drive the project forward. The support of former captains and presidents, members and residents of Ballyneety village was pledged and an intensive phone, text and e-mail campaign was undertaken to grow support for the project. An information meeting was attended by in excess of 250 persons who turned out to lend support to the venture. Since then, membership has grown to over 600 and that original vision is well on its way to becoming a reality.

The parents of the late Darragh O’Brien - A couple who lost their only child Darragh, 2, from a sudden unexplained death were named the Limerick Persons of the Month after raising over €20,000 for a charity which supports suddenly bereaved parents and families. Patrice Clarke and Donnacha O’Brien, aged 23, were left heartbroken in November 2014 when their beloved toddler died unexpectedly at his home at Cooga, Doon. An hour before he died, Patrice could hear the carefree little boy singing happily to his teddies. “He was full of beans and tractor mad,” Patrice recalled. To celebrate Darragh’s life and raise money for the charity, FirstLight, the couple organised a vintage tractor run and family fun day in Doon on Sunday, April 26, 2015 and they also hosted a table quiz in The Local in Doon which saw 54 tables being filled when they expected around 20. “We have raised over €20,000 and we are hoping to hand it over soon enough. We are still waiting for a small bit to come back,” Patrice explained at the award ceremony.

Team Limerick Clean-Up - On Good Friday, April 3, a massive clean-up day in both Limerick city and county took place. This was known as Team Limerick Clean-up (TLC).  The TLC initiative was sponsored by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and was co-ordinated by Limerick City and County Council with the support of Mr Binman; the Limerick Leader and Live 95FM.  Some 10,054 men, women and children from all around the city and county took part. Volunteers included Ireland and Munster rugby player Paul O'Connell, businessman JP McManus and monks from Glenstal Abbey who were out in boats cleaning the banks of the river Shannon. They were joined across the city and county by school children, business people, charities, sporting  heroes and local community groups. In total, volunteers gave up to 20,108 hours of their time cleaning up Limerick on Good Friday, April 3 as part of the inspiring initiative

Enda Bolger - Racehorse trainer Enda Bolger was named the Limerick Person of the Month after achieving an elusive treble with hunter chaser On The Fringe which triumphed at the three major spring jumping festivals. On the Fringe became the first horse since 1993 to win the Cheltenham and Aintree hunter chases in the same season and then went on to achieve the remarkable treble by also winning in Punchestown, making him the first horse to win at the three courses since the great Sprinter Sacre in 2013. The record had previously been broken by the JP McManus-owned Istabraq in 1999.

Robert Laffan  - Robert was honoured for opening new channels of communication with his autistic daughter thanks to the development of a device which may revolutionise one-to-one contact with people who have non-verbal disabilities. Robert’s touchscreen device, Tippy Talk, has enabled his daughter Sadie, 4, to not alone request various items but also to express how she is feeling – which has, in turn, resulted in reduced frustration for the little girl. It allows her to communicate her desires, feelings and needs to her parents through the transfer of pictures to text messages. It also allows Sadie send messages to her parents no matter where they are in the world. And it is not just limited to autism - the Tippy Talk can be adapted to cover other areas of non-verbal disabilities. While there are apps which work in a similar way to Tippy Talk there is a limitation that the recipient would have to be in the same room as the sender of the message.

Brian Toomey - Jockey Brian Toomey was honoured for his remarkable display of courage, grit and determination in returning to the saddle after been given just a 3% chance of survival, having suffered a devastating fall in 2013. When he hit the ground after taking a headfirst fall from Solway Dandy in a handicap hurdle at Perth, Scotland on July 4, 2013, Brian ‘died’. The medical personnel who attended him at the scene later said he’d been dead for six seconds. A large section of his skull was removed as his brain swelled in an induced coma and he spent 157 days in hospital before being discharged. Seven hundred and four days after suffering the fall, Brian was re-licensed as a professional jockey. He returned to the saddle on July 12 at Southwell and enjoyed his first race on Irish soil since the fall during the Galway Festival. He is also an assistant trainer.

Ashleigh O’Hagan - Ashleigh, 22, was Limerick’s only athlete to compete at the Special Olympic World Games in LA where she secured two bronze medals and three place ribbons for her remarkable efforts. Ashleigh, who hails from Derryhasna, O’Brien’s Bridge, Co Limerick, was among 88 people from across the 32 counties who competed in various events in the City of Angels in late July and early August. As well as flying the flag for Limerick and Ireland, Ashleigh, who is a gymnast with Lisnagry Special Olympics Club, was also doing all her teammates at the Limerick club proud.

Limerick Under 21 hurlers - The Limerick Under-21 hurlers were honoured for ending a 13-year famine by claiming the distinctive Cross of Cashel All-Ireland trophy and, in turn, the U21 All-Ireland title, in swashbuckling style in Thurles. In front of an attendance of 18,554 at Semple Stadium in September, the Limerick men took charge early on and never let go – their 16-point winning margin only some indication of the superiority of the Munster champions. The win over Wexford was the county's first All-Ireland title in the grade since 2002 when they won the last of their three-in-a-row and they'll be hoping for a much better harvest from this bunch who look really special.

Sharon Slater - Sharon, a woman with an endless passion for Limerick’s storied history, was named the Limerick Person of the Month for her ability to convey that passion to the people of the city, county and far beyond via her website Limerick’s Life. Sharon, who was reared in Murroe, started the website in 2004 in an effort to record the local history of Limerick city. Over the past 11 years, the site has gone from strength to strength with 1,000 people visiting each day. It has been further enhanced by Sharon’s use of social media including YouTube. The associated Limerick’s Life Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts have over 10,000 combined users. Visitors to the sites can delve into a treasure trove of old photographs, articles and videos about the history of the city’s old buildings, churches, graveyards, cathedrals and streets.

Neil Pakey - Neil. the CEO of the Shannon Group was honoured for his achievements in the role  since taking over in May 2013.  As CEO of the group, he has had responsibility for the transition of Shannon Commercial Properties - the property portfolio of the former Shannon Development, the establishment of the International Aviation Services Centre in Shannon with increased turnover, reduced costs and improved profits achieved since his takeover. He has also seen traffic growing around 20% since independence from the DAA. Likewise, visitor numbers at attractions under Shannon Heritage, part of the Group, are up, particularly at King John’s Castle, which hit 100,000 visitors in 2015 – a doubling since Pakey took over.

Dr Maria Hinfelaar - Dr Hinfelaar was honoured for overseeing a major period of expansion and innovation at Limerick Institute of Technology during her 11 years as president. Dr Hinfelaar, a native of the Netherlands, joined LIT as president in 2004. The Moylish Park facility which has seen an increase in student numbers from 4,000 t0 6,500 during her 11 years at the helm. The college currently has a staff of 550. During her tenure, she has overseen the opening of new campuses and business centres as a result of takeovers of other institutes of technologies across the region. LIT was named Institute of Technology of the Year 2008/09 and 2012/13 in the prestigious Sunday Times University Guide. Dr Hinfelaar led the successful negotiations that resulted in the Government’s approval for the integration of Tipperary Institute into LIT in 2011.

Dr Hinfelaar’s strategic vision has seen LIT make use of the city centre in terms of its development and in ensuring community engagement within the city centre.  LIT have committed to the student accommodation element of the Opera Centre site. When she arrived in Limerick Dr Hinfelaar was also anxious to make education in LIT more practical and more focused on industry. “We have introduced new programmes that weren’t there before such as music technology and video and sound technology,” she explained