Locals up for Person of the Year award

A NUMBER of West Cork people are in contention for this year’s Cork Person of the Year award.

The award will be unveiled on January 20th at a gala dinner in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork city.

Excitement is building as rowers Gary and Paul O’Donovan, Lisheens House founder Noreen Murphy and Skibbereen-born Jennifer Dowler of Dogs for the Disabled, are among those in contention for the overall 2016 title.

The awards lunch will be attended by more than 250 guests, including the 12 monthly nominees for 2016, with RTE radio broadcaster Sean O’Rourke performing the role of MC on the day. 

Guest speakers will include Drimoleague native Dee Forbes, director general of RTÉ. 

‘I’m proud to say that this is the 24th year these awards have been running and with so many worthy nominees this year, our judges, Tim Lucey of Cork County Council and Ann Doherty of Cork City Council, have a particularly difficult job on their hands,’ said awards organiser, Manus O’Callaghan.

Jennifer Dowler received her monthly award for her work as founder and CEO of Irish Dogs for the Disabled.