O'Donovan boss joins Neeson on Irish abroad ‘honours' list

A BUSINESSWOMAN whose parents are from Goleen is being hounoured for her services to the Irish abroad along with Hollywood star Liam Neeson.           

 Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, is to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad for her support of the Irish community.

She is the daughter of Kathleen (nee Sheehan), and the late Joe O’Donovan, both emigrants from Goleen. 

The awards, established in 2011 following the Global Irish Economic Forum, recognise the contribution of members of the Irish community abroad.  

Jacqueline has grown the company to be one of London’s leading independent waste management companies and is a highly respected and successful member of the Irish business community as well as aprominent and active member of a number of Irish business networks.  

She is passionate about her Irish heritage, reflected in the extraordinary work she does for the Irish community in London, including her role as Trustee for the Irish Youth Foundation as well as Executive Board Member of the Women’s Irish Network. 

She has also been a very generous supporter of a number of Irish charities including the London Irish Centre, London Irish Film Festival, Irish in Britain, and Innisfree Housing Association to name a few.

In 2016 she was honoured with the special Outstanding Commitment to Innovation Award by the British Irish Trading Alliance, recognising her outstanding leadership and dedication to mentoring. 

The awards will be presented later this year by President Higgins.