New awards launched to celebrate West Cork's community heroes

THE Southern Star and the Celtic Ross Hotel have joined forces to honour those who epitomise the community spirit of West Cork – with the launch of the West Cork Hero Awards.

 The awards, launched this week, are aimed at celebrating the region’s ‘everyday heroes’ – the people who, by their dedication, love and commitment, donate their time to helping others and making our community a better place to live.

‘Everyday heroes are found throughout West Cork, but often lack recognition and thanks,’ said Southern Star community editor Niall O’Driscoll. ‘It’s time we acknowledged their efforts at making their locality and the lives of those around them that bit better.’

Southern Star readers are now invited to make nominations on a monthly basis throughout 2016 and a glittering West Cork Hero Awards ceremony will take place at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery in early 2017. 

The judging panel – Niall O’Driscoll of The Southern Star; Neil Grant, general manager, Celtic Ross Hotel and independent adjudicator Patsy Puttnam – will select monthly winners from these nominations. 

As well as being put forward for the overall awards at the end of the year, these monthly winners will be presented with a specially commissioned trophy and invited to a celebratory three-course lunch with family and invited guests in the Celtic Ross Hotel Warren Suite overlooking Rosscarbery Bay.

‘Maybe it’s a tireless community worker, or a frontline emergency responder, a young person demonstrating maturity beyond their years, or someone who has given a lifetime to their community,’ explained Helen Wycherley of the Celtic Ross Hotel. ‘It could be someone – young or old – who has overcome their own personal adversity or challenges to inspire others. Be it a local group or business, a carer or family member, or perhaps just someone who went above and beyond the call of duty in a time of crisis, we want to hear from them.’