The annual Cathaoirleach’s Awards Ceremony took place at County Hall on Wednesday, 28th January 2026, celebrating the remarkable individuals, groups, schools, and volunteers whose contributions continue to enrich and strengthen communities across County Sligo.
Cathaoirleach’s Awards Ceremony Honours Outstanding Community Achievements
Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Dónal Gilroy said:
“The Cathaoirleach’s Awards are about shining a light on the people who make Sligo what it is — people who go above and beyond, often quietly and without seeking recognition. Tonight, we honour those whose actions inspire us, whose creativity and kindness uplift us, and whose commitment shapes the spirit of our county.”
He added:
“What truly stands out is the diversity of talent and service represented here tonight — from environmental leadership to community volunteering, from cultural contribution to courage through sport. These awards celebrate the heartbeat of Sligo.”
Joining the Cathaoirleach on the Awards Committee were
Cllr. Michael Clarke, Cllr. Arthur Gibbons, Cllr. Declan Bree, Cllr. Gerard Mullaney, Cllr. Gino O'Boyle, Cllr. Joseph Queenan, and Cllr. Paul Taylor, who diligently reviewed all nominations before selecting the deserving winners.
The ceremony highlighted achievements in the following 8 categories:
| Category | Winner | Presented by |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS, CULTURE AND LITERATURE | Karen Gordon | Cllr Gino O'Boyle |
| COMMUNITY GROUP | Sligo Hospital Musical Society | Cllr Michael Clarke |
| COMMUNITY INDIVIDUAL | Maura McManus | Cllr Gerard Mullaney |
| ENVIRONMENT BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE ACTION | Corran College Green School Committee | Cllr Paul Taylor |
| OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE IRISH LANGUAGE | Mícheál Ó Broin | Cllr Joe Queenan |
| SCHOOLS / YOUNG ENTERPRISE | 6th Class Scoil Naomh Molaise | Cllr Declan Bree |
| SPORTS | Sean Brown | Cllr Arthur Gibbons |
| SPIRIT OF SLIGO | Relay for Life Committee | Cathaoirleach Cllr Dónal Gilroy |
Each award recipient was presented with a commemorative glass piece and a certificate, symbolising their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.
In closing, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Gilroy thanked all those involved:
“Every person honoured tonight has made Sligo a better place. Their generosity, leadership, and commitment strengthen our communities and reflect the very best of who we are.”
Following the ceremony, the Sligo Concert Band performed a selection of pieces to close the evening.
Sligo County Council congratulates all winners and nominees on their remarkable contributions to community life in County Sligo.
Category: Arts, Culture and Literature
Presented by: Councillor Gino O'Boyle
Winner: Karen Gordon
Karen was honoured for her extraordinary and long‑standing contribution to the arts in Sligo, where she has become one of the county’s most influential creative forces. Over the years, she has produced a wide range of ambitious theatrical productions, each delivered to a professional standard despite being entirely voluntary. Her work has opened doors for countless local performers, musicians, stage crew and volunteers, and her generosity in supporting other theatre groups is well known across the county.
In 2025, Karen achieved something truly historic with her staging of Sweeney Todd at ATU Knocknarea Arena — the largest live theatre event ever staged in County Sligo, and possibly west of the Shannon. The production was a triumph of creativity, organisation and determination, involving vast sets, technical innovation and a cast of talented local performers. Her leadership resulted in three AIMS nominations and an AIMS Award win for Best Technical, further cementing her contribution to theatre excellence.
Beyond the stage, Karen is admired for her kind, uplifting presence. She never hesitates to promote other groups, attend performances across the region, and encourage emerging talent. Her commitment reflects a deep love of theatre and a genuine desire to ensure that high‑quality artistic experiences remain at the heart of Sligo’s cultural life.
Category: Community Group
Presented by: Councillor Michael Clarke
Winner: Sligo Hospital Musical Society
The Sligo Hospital Musical Society was celebrated for nearly three decades of uplifting community spirit, artistic creativity and extraordinary charitable work. Composed entirely of volunteer hospital staff — nurses, doctors, radiographers, porters, administrative staff and more — the group embodies dedication in its truest sense.
Each year, between September and January, members rehearse several evenings a week, often arriving straight from demanding, emotionally challenging hospital shifts. Their annual pantomime has become a much‑loved tradition at the Hawk’s Well Theatre and a bright moment in Sligo’s calendar, bringing laughter and joy to audiences of all ages.
To date, the group has raised over €220,000 for local charities, supporting causes close to the hearts of healthcare workers and the wider community. Their recent production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame sold out every performance, again showcasing their talent, commitment and ability to deliver top‑class entertainment.
The Musical Society is more than a theatre group — it is a testament to teamwork, resilience and compassion. Their efforts highlight the remarkable dedication of healthcare staff who, even after long shifts, still choose to give back to their community in creative and meaningful ways.
Category: Community Individual
Presented by: Councillor Gerard Mullaney
Winner: Maura McManus
Maura was honoured as a deeply respected pillar of the Geevagh and Highwood communities, where her decades of volunteerism have strengthened local life in countless ways. Her most remarkable recent achievement was the creation of Treasured Memories, a unique and heartfelt remembrance book honouring community members who passed away during the Covid years.
During a time when families were unable to gather, mourn, or comfort one another in the traditional Irish way, Maura recognised the deep emotional impact this absence of ritual had on people. With compassion and determination, she reached out to families, inviting them to share stories, poems, prayers and photographs. Over two years, she researched, wrote, edited and fundraised tirelessly to bring the book to life.
The result is a beautifully compiled volume that honours lives, preserves local history and provides healing for grieving families. The book resonated so strongly that it spread far beyond the parish, reaching families abroad and becoming a cherished keepsake.
Maura’s work reflects her lifelong commitment to community. A volunteer since the 1980s, she has been involved in countless parish and local initiatives. Her kindness, leadership and ability to bring people together make her deeply deserving of this award.
Category: Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Action
Presented by: Councillor Paul Taylor
Winner: Corran College Green Schools Committee
The Corran College Green Schools Committee was recognised for its outstanding contribution to environmental awareness, sustainability and climate action in their school and community. Their Green Schools Action Week showcased creativity, energy and practical engagement, involving every year group in activities designed to deepen understanding of biodiversity and climate issues.
A highlight of the week was their collaborative native tree‑planting project with Ballymote Tidy Towns. Students visited Ballymote Town Park, where they learned about native Irish species from a local expert before planting their own Scots pine, hawthorn and whitehorn trees. The students expressed pride that these trees will grow for generations, symbolising their personal contribution to the future landscape of their town.
Their enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment reflect a generation eager to lead on climate action. Through their projects, they have strengthened community ties, supported biodiversity and demonstrated leadership in protecting our environment.
Category: Outstanding Contribution to the Irish Language
Presented by: Councillor Joe Queenan
Winner: Mícheál Ó Broin
Honoured upon his retirement after 24 years as Principal of Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, Mícheál Ó Broin leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in Irish‑medium education. Under his leadership, the school grew from 127 pupils in 2002 to over 200 today, with nearly 700 children having passed through its doors. His passion for Gaeilge, combined with a warm, inclusive approach, created a school where the language flourished naturally.
Mícheál nurtured confidence in parents and pupils alike, often providing evening Irish classes to support families new to the language. He championed music, drama, Feis Sligo participation, and TG4 opportunities, ensuring children experienced Gaeilge as a living, vibrant cultural force. He also played a key role in the establishment of Aonad Loch Gile, allowing pupils to continue their education through Irish at secondary level.
Deeply respected by staff, families and former pupils — many of whom return for work experience or even as teachers — Mícheál’s influence extends far beyond the school walls. A tireless advocate for a permanent school building, he devoted countless hours to shaping the future of Irish‑medium education in Sligo.
His legacy is one of pride, belonging, culture and community — a contribution that will echo for generations.
Category: Schools / Young Enterprise
Presented by: Councillor Declan Bree
Winner: 6th Class Scoil Naomh Molaise
The 6th Class students and their teacher, Mr. Seamus Connolly, were honoured for their extraordinary commitment to storytelling, cultural heritage and creative learning through their Spanish Armada project. Their reenactment of the 1588 shipwrecks at Streedagh Beach demonstrated teamwork, historical research, dramatic performance and community engagement at the highest level.
Year after year, the class explores this important moment in Sligo’s history through drama, art and song. In 2025, they brought their learning to life on a remarkable scale, performing at Streedagh Beach alongside the Spanish Naval Band and strengthening international ties involving the Spanish Ambassador and Navy.
Their project not only honours the memory of those lost in the Armada tragedy but also highlights the power of creative education. Their work stands as an inspiring example of what young people can achieve when imagination and opportunity come together.
Category: Sports
Presented by: Councillor Arthur Gibbons
Winner: Sean Brown
Sean was honoured for his exceptional courage, commitment and leadership as a coach with St. John’s GAA while living with motor neurone disease. In the face of immense physical challenges, Sean chose determination over retreat, continuing to coach, organise, mentor and inspire — becoming a symbol of resilience for the entire community.
Despite losing mobility and speech, he made every effort to attend trainings and matches, travelling with family and friends, and at one point driving his electric wheelchair to the club to ensure he would not let his players down. He communicated using whatever tools he could and remained fully involved in team decisions, training plans and match preparations.
Sean’s presence had a transformative impact: former players came out of retirement, younger players found inspiration, and the entire club rallied with renewed energy. His junior team reached a Championship semi-final, but the true victory was the unity and spirit he inspired.
Sean’s courage has strengthened not only his club but the broader GAA and sporting community across Sligo. His example — of perseverance, compassion, humour and heart — makes him profoundly deserving of this award.
Sean Brown was unable to attend the ceremony; however, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Donal Gilroy will present the award to Sean at a later date.
Category: Spirit of Sligo
Presented by: Councillor Dónal Gilroy
Winner: Relay for Life Sligo Committee
The Relay for Life Sligo Committee was honoured for bringing Relay for Life to Sligo for the first time, creating a deeply moving and unifying 24‑hour event that touched thousands of people across the county. Their efforts resulted in over €500,000 raised for the Irish Cancer Society — one of the largest first-year totals in the history of Relay for Life in Ireland.
The event provided a powerful space for those on a cancer journey, survivors, carers and families. The opening Survivors Lap, the Candle of Hope ceremony at dusk, and the continuous relay throughout the night offered healing, connection and solidarity.
The committee worked tirelessly for months, organising teams, entertainment, logistics, fundraising and outreach. Their dedication brought together schools, businesses, community groups, health professionals and families from all corners of Sligo, creating an unforgettable celebration of hope and resilience.
Relay for Life Sligo was more than a fundraiser — it was a moment of collective strength that reflected the deepest spirit of the county. The committee’s work will have a lasting impact, establishing what will undoubtedly become a cornerstone annual event for Sligo.
