Dundalk Municipal District Civic Awards 2023

thE 2023 Dundalk Municipal District Civic Awards took place on the evening of the 29th of May 2023 in the foyer of County hall, Dundalk on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny evening. the awards which are set by legislation under Section 74 of the Local Government Act 2001, as a reserved function, and reinforced by the Local Government Reform Act,

2014, Section 131 A(1)

(b) allows Municipal Districts to hold and grant Municipal Awards annually to local individuals or groups.

Following a nomination and consideration process; awards are granted to inspirational persons or groups, or those who achieve outstanding goals, demonstrate unwavering service to the community, and/or who represent the community nationally or internationally. In short to people who help or inspire others and who make Dundalk a wonderful place to live and be. this year Dundalk District Elected Members nominated sixteen such recipients for the 2023 Dundalk Municipal Civic Awards.

While crowds were gathering for the ceremony, they were treated to a traditional music score by owen and Fiona McIntyre, children of well-known local musicians John McIntyre and Zoe Conway. the awards ceremony, which was very well attended, then commenced with Members of Louth Fire Service bringing the National and County Flags on parade while a bagpiper played the

National Anthem. the Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Meenan addressed the crowd welcoming them to the event. he explained the process for the awards, advising that while individual Councillors had put forward nominations, all Municipal District Members unanimously agreed the final nominee list and the awards were issuing from the Municipal District as a whole. the Meeting Administrator of Louth County Council Gráinne tuomey then called each of the nominees forward to be presented with their awards by Dundalk MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Kevin Meenan.

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Ms. Joan Martin, spoke of the gravitas of the award process, and how those nominees present should be proud to be chosen out of the vast population of Dundalk and congratulated them on their achievements and on being nominated for an award.

All present then stood while Louth Fire Service closed the event by taking the flags off parade, following which refreshments were served.