Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad
The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad are presented by the President every year.
The Awards recognise the service given to this country, or to Irish communities abroad, by those who live outside Ireland.
Only people who live outside the island of Ireland can be nominated for the Award. They must have:
- Given distinguished service to Ireland and/or its reputation abroad
- Contributed to Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad in at least one of the categories listed below
- Supported and engaged with Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad for at least five years, or have made a sustained and distinguished service on a global or international issue of importance
While the scheme is open to all people living abroad, it is primarily aimed at Irish citizens, those entitled to Irish citizenship and persons of Irish descent, who have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland or Irish communities abroad, or on a global or international issue of importance.
Nominations for the Award are made through the network of Irish Embassies abroad, and are considered by a High Level Panel. The Panel recommends up to a total of 10 people every year from these nominations.
The categories under which individuals can be nominated are:
- Arts, Culture and Sport;
- Business and Education;
- Charitable Works;
- Irish Community Support;
- Peace, Reconciliation and Development;
- Science, Technology and Innovation (additional category introduced in 2016).
Nomination forms can be downloaded by clicking here