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A RAFT of British-based Irish celebrities made their way to Dublin this week to honour Ireland’s finest citizens.
Philomena Lee, Barry McGuigan and Christine Bleakley were among those who headed home to present awards to the men, women and children revealed as winners in the first Pride of Ireland event.
Held at Mansion House on Tuesday, June 3, the glittering ceremony showcased 13 everyday people from across Ireland, described as the ‘backbone of the county’ by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the night.
Among them 16-year-old John O’Donoghue, from Co Cork, received a Child of Courage award for saving his father from a bull attack.
Elsewhere Outstanding Bravery award winner Gavin Leane was commended for saving a woman who was sucked under a Dart train carriage.
The 33-year-old Dubliner was presented with his award by sports star Barry McGuigan, who was in town especially for the event.
But one of the most poignant moments of the emotional night was when 81-year-old Philomena Lee, the inspiration for the award-winning movie Philomena, presented Fiona Doyle from Co Wexford, with a Special Recognition award.
The Gorey-native received the award for her courage in taking her father to court and subsequently helping others facing similar situations after suffering child abuse.
“No better woman deserved that award,” said Lee, who lives in Hertfordshire.
“She revealed a secret she’d kept for 40 years when she took her father to court for abusing her. My heart broke for her and I just wanted to hold her in my arms,” she added.
“I know all about keeping secrets for I kept my son Anthony a secret for 50 years until I had to tell my daughter. I was worried I’d die without anyone knowing about him being taken from me against my will and then we went on our amazing journey to discover who he had become in this world,” she explained.
“So now Fiona is on her amazing story and I hope her Pride of Ireland award will be one of the brightest moments in it. She deserves to be thanked for her courage and this honour is a perfect thank you in my opinion.”
Lee was one of the 12-judges on the panel tasked with selecting winners for nine categories from 1,000 entries received for the inaugural Pride of Ireland awards.
They found it so difficult to pin down just one winner for each category that the judges agreed to more than one name in two of them, Special Recognition and Child of Courage.
All the award winners were in attendance at the glitzy event, which was held in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House and jointly hosted by The Saturdays’ Una Foden and Pride of Britain patron Carol Vorderman.
Celebrities from across Britain and Ireland turned out to celebrate the winners’ achievements – including Louis Walsh, Imelda May and Calum Best and actors from both the Coronation Street and Eastenders television series.
Walsh, who appeared on the red carpet with his new band Hometown in tow, was also a judge on the Pride of Ireland panel.
“The judging was a nightmare,” he said, “because every one of the shortlisted candidates that we read about were all incredible. Each one has an amazing story, each one deserved recognition and I wish I could have given every one of them the top place.”
He added: “These awards have come just at the right time to help raise Ireland’s spirits and it’s been a privilege to have been involved, especially in this, the inaugural year.
“I always attend the Pride of Britain awards but there’s nothing like being at home, with Irish people at our own awards ceremony.”
The Pride of Ireland Awards Ceremony airs on TV3 in Ireland tonight (June 5) at 9pm
See More: Ireland, Local Heroes, Pride Of Ireland
