Distinguished personalities Brendan Gleeson and Rhasidat Adeleke are among the honorees for the prestigious Lord Mayor Award.
In the annual ceremony held at the Mansion House, Dublin, the Lord Mayor presented awards to distinguished individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the city. The event, which recognizes a wide array of accomplishments across various sectors, honors Dublin citizens who have truly made a difference in society.
Among the recipients were acclaimed actor Brendan Gleeson, renowned rugby player Johnny Sexton, and young athletics talent Rhasidat Adeleke. Gleeson, a proud Dub, expressed gratitude for receiving an award from his hometown, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the positive aspects of the city and acknowledging the good works happening within it.
Johnny Sexton, another proud Dubliner, was equally honored by the recognition. He shared his delight with his children, who were thrilled to sit next to Brendan Gleeson, best known for his Harry Potter roles.
Lord Mayor Emma Blaine – who acknowledges the significance of dementia awareness and the empowerment of women and girls in sports – lauded several recipients who embody her ideals. Rhasidat Adeleke was one of those recognized for her athletic achievements and her empowering impact on young female athletes. Her mother accepted the award on her behalf, as the 22-year-old athlete remains committed to training in the United States and breaking running records.
Allen and Jay Bobinac, originally from Croatia, were honored for their dedication to helping the homeless in Dublin. Accepting their awards, they compared the event's atmosphere to the Oscars.
Una Crawford O'Brien was acknowledged for her and her partner Bryan Murray's outstanding contributions to the arts, both on stage and on screen, and for their work in raising dementia awareness.
Isobel Henderson received a posthumous award for her outstanding service and dedication to the Girls' Brigade Ireland.
Finally, Team Power of 1 was recognized for their achievement in the World's Toughest Row and for raising awareness and funds for Heart Children Ireland and Children's Heart Centre - CHI Crumlin, in memory of Saoirse O'Driscoll.
As the prestigious event celebrates its 50th anniversary, it underscores the ongoing importance of recognizing local and national excellence in Dublin and beyond[1][2][3].
In the spirit of recognizing excellence beyond the realm of the ceremony, the Lord Mayor might consider expanding the awards to entities making strides in entertainment, sports, and sports-analysis, honoring celebrities like Ryan Tubridy, sports stars such as Roy Keane, and sports analysts such as Eoin McDevitt for their significant contributions to Dublin's cultural, sports, and informational landscape.
Moreover, it would be fitting to acknowledge the city's burgeoning talents in these fields, like Emma D'Arcy, Tadhg Furlong, and Nathan Carter, to encourage future generations to embrace their passions and strive for greatness in the lives they lead and the stories they tell.
