Those granted the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad this year include Seamus Coleman, a footballer, Orla Kiely, a designer, and Rosalind Scanlon, a playwright. Stella O’Leary, founder of Irish American Democrats, Aduke Gomez, a writer, Sr Teresa McKeon, a teacher based in Sierre Leon, and Prof Enrico Terrinoni, an academic of English literature, were also recognised for their contributions. Mary O’Neil and Patrick Leahy from the US, and Pam O’Mahony from Australia, rounded up the group of 10 recipients revealed by Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The recognitions will be bestowed by President Michael D Higgins in a formal event at Áras an Uachtaráin in January 2025.
Micheál Martin stated, “As I see the impact they make both locally and internationally, I always feel deeply honoured by the significant contributions that Irish people living abroad continue to make to their communities and globally.”
The 2024 awardees are reported to represent the diverse sectors where the Irish diaspora are effecting change, encompassing arts, sports, culture, charity, community efforts, business, peace, inclusion, and equality.
Mr Martin also pointed out, “The links between Ireland and the diaspora are fortified by the Presidential Distinguished Service Award recognising the symbiosis between the accomplishments of the medalists and our national values”.