Fáilte chuig Searmanas Bronnta Ghradaim Dhlí na hÉireann fiche fiche haon a thugann aitheantas dó agus a cheiliúrann feabhas i gcleachtadh dlíthúil le bliain anuas. Welcome to the Awards Ceremony for the Irish Law Awards 2021 recognising and celebrating excellence in legal practise over the past year. Tonight, we welcome friends, colleagues, finalists, provincial winners, and national winners, to acclaim undoubted excellence in legal practice. Every finalist is already a success story; every winner a worthy exemplar. No one present tonight needs reminding of the value to our fellow citizens of an independent legal profession replete with dedicated, competent, and energetic practitioners. It was not for awards that any one of us became involved in the legal profession. It is nonetheless fitting that we take an opportunity to fete those who have been nominated as finalists and appreciate the goodness in ourselves.
RICHARD HAMMOND S.C
The time since the preceding Awards Ceremony has been difficult for everyone, with all of us having suffered loss and strain in what has been a dark and difficult time. We pay tribute to all the essential workers who have kept our country moving, together with all those who were furloughed or worked-from home, contributing to keeping everyone safe. In the words of Dermot Kennedy: “better days are comin', if no one told you… better days are comin' for you”. An event such as this does not happen by magic, but instead by the hard work and determination of many people. I thank my fellow judging panel members, who already shorn of spare time, gave their time with grace and generosity. I also thank the sponsors, Bloomsbury Professional, Brewin Dolphin, Currencies Direct, Financial Times, LEAP, Medlaw, Ormond Meeting Rooms, Sunday Business Post, and Westcore International. Finally, I thank Diarmaid Lennon, Jill Thornton, and all of the stellar team at Ashville Media Group for organising the Irish Law Awards 2021. Finally, this is the first Awards Ceremony for the Irish Law Awards without our founding Chairperson of the Judging Panel, Dr. Eamonn G. Hall, who died on 21st November, 2020. A proud Monaghan-native, Eamonn was a true giant of the legal profession, a thorough gentleman, and a dear friend, who was the mainstay of the Irish Law Awards from its inception. We remember Eamonn tonight with gratitude for all that he was; all that any of us could ever hope to be! Richard Hammond S.C. Chairperson, Judging Panel Irish Law Awards
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