The 2022 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards returned to a packed Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, where some of Donegal and Ireland’s finest were recognised for their outstanding contributions to society, culture, healthcare, the arts and business.
Master of Ceremonies Donal Kavanagh introduced each recipient and helped to aptly summarise the impact in which the recipients have had on their respective fields.
Ann and Mark Baiada a husband and wife team, with strong ties to Kilmacrennan, together founded BAYADA healthcare who employ over 28,000 staff globally.
Moya Doherty, born in the border village of Pettigo, was the commissioning producer and originator of the global phenomenon Riverdance and currently Chair of the RTE board.
Kathleen Sheerin, originally from Ardara has been an ever-present member of the Donegal Association in Dublin since arriving in ‘the big smoke’ and continues to support all things Donegal across the world.
Dr. Susan Whoriskey is an entrepreneur who has pioneered cutting edge technologies and lifesaving protective vaccines. She also supports medical scholarships at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Liam Blaney paid tribute to the awardees stating that the ‘’Tip O’Neill awards are an opportunity to celebrate the role our diaspora play, not just for Donegal and Ireland but across the globe. We are privileged to be in the company of such esteemed recipients.’’
Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, TD stated that the ‘‘rich talent pool which Donegal has developed and continues to deliver is testament to everything that is good about our county.’’
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan, Chairperson of the Tip O’Neill Committee, acknowledged the ‘’continued support of the O’Neill family for the awards’’ and spoke of the initial proposal by ‘’local historian Leonard Roarty who developed the idea of the award ceremony’’.
The Tip O’Neill Award ceremony began in 2012 to mark the centenary of the birth of Thomas P. Tip O’Neill. Tip O’Neill whose maternal grandparents hailed from Donegal (Buncrana and Clonmany) was an American Politician and Statesman who served as Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
Tip’s son Tom delivered an appreciation to the late John & Pat Hume, as a fitting close to the award ceremony, “they ensured that the road to peace was maintained consistently for 30 years. This is their legacy.”
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards are part of the Donegal Connect, Global Irish Festival Series in association with Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Donegal County Council. A range of events will take place over the weekend across Donegal as part of countywide festivities.
At the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday are seated Kathleen, Sheerin, Ann and Mark Baiada, Charlie McConalgoue, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Dr. Susan whoriskey and Moya Doherty. Back from left are John McLaughlin, CE Donegal County Council. Shelly O’Neill, Tom O’Neill and Liam Blaney, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council. Photo Clive Wasson
at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday seated from left are Award Recipents – Kathleen, Sheerin, Ann and Mark Baiada, Dr. Susan whoriskey and Moya Doherty. Back from left are Kevin Doherty, Peter McLaughlin, , James Gill, Nicholas Crossan, Chairperson, Tip O’Neill Committee, Charlie McConalgoue, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Liam Blaney, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Shelly O’Neill, Tom O’Neill, John McCarter and Carl Fullerton. Photo Clive Wasson
Local rgniserscommittee members Peter McLaughlin, Kevin Doherty, James Gill, Nicholas Crossan, John McCarter and Carl Fullerton at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Tom O’Neill and John McLaughlin CE Donegal County Council presenting the Tip O’Neill Award to Kathleen Sheerin, Donegal Association Dublin at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Tom O’Neill with Cllr. Liam Blaney, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council presenting Ann and Mark Baiada with the Tip O’Neill award at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Tom O’Neill and Cllr Nicholas Crossan, Chairperson Tip O’Neill Committee presenting the award to Moya Doherty at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Tom O’Neill and Charlie McConalgoue, TD Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine presenting the Tip O’Neill Award to Dr. Susan Whoriskey at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Liam Blaney, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council speaking at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Charlie McConalgoue, TD Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine addressing the guests at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan Chairperson Tip O’Neill Committee at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Award recipient Kathleen Sheerin speaking at the Tip OÕNeill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Ann and Mark Baiada award recipients speaking at the Tip OÕNeill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Moya Doherty speaking at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Dr. Susan Whoriskey speaking at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
Tom O’Neill speaking at the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2022 hosted by the Donegal County Council in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
