At a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin President Michael D. Higgins presented the 2020 and 2021 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards.
The Awards are presented by the President every year, in recognition of the service given to this country, or to Irish communities abroad, by those who live outside Ireland.
The Awards were created in 2011, as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora, and the first awards were presented by President Michael D. Higgins in 2012.
The 2020 recipients are:
Arts, Culture and Sport
- James W. Flannery (US)
- Mitsuko Ohno (Japan)
- Fiona Shaw (Britain)
Charitable Works
- Sr. Louise Horgan (Thailand)
- Alice Kennedy (Deceased) (Britain)
Irish Community Support
- Loretta Cosgrove (Australia)
Peace, Reconciliation and Development
- William Duncan (The Netherlands)
- Sr. Patricia Murray (Italy)
- Fr. Kevin O’Hara (Nigeria)
Science and Technology
- Dennis Slamon (US)
The 2021 recipients are:
Arts, Culture and Sport
- Susan Feldman (USA)
- Professor Roy Foster (Britain)
- Br. Colm O’Connell (Kenya)
Business and Education
- Sr. Orla Treacy (South Sudan)
Charitable Works
- Doreen Nanibaa McPaul (USA)
- Phyllis Morgan-Fann (Britain)
- Jim O’Hara (Britain)
- Billy Lawless (USA)
Irish Community Support
- Adrian Flannelly (USA)
Peace, Reconciliation and Development
- Bridget Brownlow (Canada)
Throughout his term in office, President Higgins has emphasised the global nature of Ireland’s cultural heritage, the significance of the diaspora and the common history and identity we share “despite the borders, oceans and miles that may separate us”.
