There will be a strong Donegal presence at this year’s Presidential Awards in Áras an Uachtaráin.
Everton and Republic of Ireland footballer Seamus Coleman and playwright Rosalind Scanlon have been named among the 2024 recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.
Considered by many as a role model, Killybegs native Coleman signed a new deal with his club earlier this year and is now in a record 16th season at Goodison Park.
A London-born playwright and theatre director, Rosalind ‘Ros’ Scanlon is the daughter of Donegal natives. Her father was the late Eddie Scanlon from Sallywood, Killygordon, and mother Peggy (née McGowan) was from Correfrin, Ballybofey.
Cultural Director of The Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, London, her many critically acclaimed productions include ‘Lovin’ Daniel’, a 2014 play based on the lives of fans of Kincasslagh crooner, Daniel O’Donnell.
The writer Aduke Gomez; Prof Enrico Terrinoni, an English literature academic; Sr Teresa McKeon, a Sierra Leone-based teacher; and Irish American Democrats founder Stella O’Leary were also honoured.
Mary O’Neil and Patrick Leahy in the US, and Pam O’Mahony in Australia, completed the list of ten recipients announced by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin.
The awards will be presented by President Michael D Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin in January.
“Irish people overseas continue to make vital contributions to their communities and on the international stage. I am always very honoured when I get to see first-hand the impact they make locally and globally,” Mr Martin said.
The ten 2024 recipients are said to represent various areas in which the “global Irish” are making a difference, including the arts, culture, sport, charitable and community works, business, peace, inclusion and equality.
“The Presidential Distinguished Service Award acknowledges the connection between the work of the recipients and our values as a nation, strengthening the ties between Ireland and the Diaspora,” Mr Martin added.
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