Individuals and groups across Cork to be honoured at Lord Mayor's awards

CORK City Council will this evening honour some of the city's finest volunteers and community groups at the annual Lord Mayor’s Civic, Culture and Community & Voluntary Awards gala event.

The event, held in the Concert Hall at City Hall will be live streamed from 7.30pm on Cork City Council’s website and on channel 803 for Virgin Media customers.

Each year, six people across Cork receive a Lord Mayor’s Civic award in recognition of their efforts to improve their community, as well as an additional winner of the annual Lord Mayor’s Culture Award.

A further six groups will receive a Lord Mayor’s Community & Voluntary Award in recognition of services they provide in the community across a number of community and voluntary initiatives.

This year’s gala ceremony marks the 21st anniversary celebration of the awards, for which The Echo and now Echolive.ie have been media partners from the beginning.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy will present a specially commissioned commemorative medal to each awardee, including Jean Downey, in recognition of her work with Bishopstown Tidy Towns; Garry McCarthy, director of GMCBeats, in recognition of his community work and long-term commitment to empowering young people through music; and Dr Naomi Masheti, in recognition of her commitment to the Cork Migrant Centre.

Fahmeda Naheed will also be recognised for her service and dedication to the Irish-Pakistani community in Cork, alongside Donnacha O’Callaghan, in recognition of his outstanding commitment and contribution to rugby in Munster and his work with UNICEF Ireland; and single piper, Norman O’ Rourke will be awarded in recognition of his contribution to music and cultural heritage in Cork city.

Playwright, director and writer, Marion Wyatt is due to receive the 2024 Culture Award.

Awards will also be presented to community and voluntary groups across the following categories of: Arts Culture Recreation and Heritage; Climate Action and Sustainable Development; Community Development and Continuing Education; Recreation, Sport, Health and Wellbeing; Social Inclusion Advocacy and Integration; and Social Services, Charity and Environment.

An overall award will also be given, and will be announced at the gala ceremony.