Meath Chronicle Community & Sports Awards: Community Volunteer of the Year
The Meath Chronicle Community and Sports Awards in partnership with Specsavers and Bective Stud take place this Thursday (21st May) and in this week's paper we celebrate the achievements of all our wonderful nominees.
Evolving from the Meath Sports Awards that started more than 20 years ago and which has seen some of the biggest names in Irish sport recognised and honoured in their home county, the event now combines a dedicated Community section aimed at recognising so many of our unsung heroes.
Among the accolades given out at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, Athboy ceremony on Thursday, will be awards for Community volunteers, groups, carers, schools and green projects while in our Sports section, outstanding achievement, young sports star, team of the year and of course, overall sportsperson will all be honoured as will our Hall of Fame recipient.
Read all about our local heroes in our special 28-page pullout.
Here are the nominees for the Community Volunteer of the Year Award:
A passion for helping animals and volunteering
Joseph Quinn
Joseph Quinn has dedicated a good part of his life to animal welfare and rescue work. Originally from Dublin and raised in Trim from 2001, Joseph began volunteering at just 13 years old at an exotic animal sanctuary in Meath, while also carrying out horse rescue work in his spare time.
His passion for helping animals eventually led him to establish Leinster Horse and Pony Rescue in 2013.
What started as the rescue of a single horse quickly grew into one of Ireland’s best-known equine rescue organisations.
Based in Trim for 12 years before relocating near Navan in the last year, the charity now relies on a dedicated team of around 80 volunteers, including welfare officers, adoption staff, and yard volunteers.
Alongside his full-time role in the emergency services, Joseph continues to oversee the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of neglected and abused animals. Despite witnessing severe cruelty cases over the years, he remains committed to giving every rescued animal a second chance and credits the charity’s success to the tireless efforts of its volunteers.
A lifetime giving back to the Navan community
Sara Sheils
Silverlawns Resident Sara Sheils has spent decades giving back to the Navan community through extensive voluntary work in local organisations such as Navan Athletics Club, Navan Swimming Club, Meath Community Games, and St. Paul’s National School Parents Association.
Originally from Donegal, she trained and worked as a nurse in Glasgow before returning to Ireland and later settling in Silverlawns, Navan, in 1982. Shortly after moving to the area, she joined the Silverlawns Residents Committee, where she has served in several roles over the years, including Treasurer, a position she currently holds.
Through the years Sara also coached the St Paul’s girls’ football team to a Cumann na mBunscoil title and she has worked with Simonstown Ladies, where she has undertaken a wide range of responsibilities. Sara says volunteering gives her the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way while supporting the people and environment around her. “One of the most rewarding aspects is meeting new people from all walks of life and building connections,” she says.
An extraordinary contribution to the Dunshaughlin community
Róisín de Blackum
The energetic Róisín de Blackum has made an extraordinary contribution to the Dunshaughlin community through decades of voluntary work in music, culture and local development. Back in 1969, she was asked to establish a church choir, which she led and supported for 25 years, and whichstill continues today. A music teacher and mother of four, Roisin also founded the Dunshaughlin Choral Society, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The society has participated in performances, competitions, and musical productions both in Ireland and abroad. She later established a Junior Choral Society, teaching dozens of children each week, and spent over 20 ye Róisín has also contributed to the Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival, Dunshaughlin Community Centre school board and parents’ associations, the Town Centre First Team, Parish Council, and the Dunshaughlin Historical Society.
The capable lady has only just retired from the Parish Council but is keeping on her role with the pre-baptism team and remains an active and valued volunteer within the community.