Press

Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy and Eileen Colgan, who plays Esther Roche in Fair City’s Carrigstown, Ireland’s most famous fictional neighbourhood, today joined the residents of St. Brendan’s Cottages in Irishtown, Dublin 4, to launch the “Neighbour of the Year” award, as part of the 2012 People of the Year Awards, organised by Rehab. The award, in partnership with RTÉ 2fm’s Tubridy show, is this year’s special category and people are being encouraged to nominate an inspirational neighbour who has made a real difference in their community. The awards will be presented by Gráinne Seoige and televised live on RTÉ One on Saturday 15th September. This special award acknowledges the importance of neighbours – so often the glue that keeps our communities together – and the role that they play in our lives.
 

Whether it’s offering a supportive, listening ear over a cup of tea, helping out an older person, or looking after the kids, Irish people have a long tradition of building real and lasting relationships with their neighbours. Having a sense of community is very important and this new award will pay homage to these relationships, reinforcing the value of neighbours in our increasingly stressful and busy lives.

 

RTÉ 2fm’s Tubridy is spearheading the search for the “Neighbour of the Year” and in the run-up to the awards, will be encouraging people to nominate deserving neighbours, and chatting to people on the morning show as to why their neighbour is simply the best. The winner of the award, along with their nominator, must be available for filming on Tuesday September 11 and to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday September 15 in Dublin.

 

Now in their 38^th year, the People of the Year Awards provide a special opportunity for Irish people to honour contributions made by individuals and organisations to life in Ireland. In short, the awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people, including exceptional neighbourly behaviour!

 

Angela Kerins, Chief Executive, Rehab, and Chairperson of the Adjudication Panel says:

“Neighbours are a really vital support system in our communities. So often they are there for us, whether it’s minding the dog while we’re away on holidays, or helping out in a family emergency, or performing an act of real heroism. With the special category award this year we are looking for someone who has gone to extraordinary lengths to support the person next door or across the street, and we want to hear those stories of loyalty and support, sacrifice and selflessness – qualities that are so invaluable in a good neighbour. We hope it will also encourage more people to look out for each other.”

 

RTÉ 2fm’s Ryan Tubridy adds:

 

Nominations can be submitted online at www.peopleoftheyear.com or nomination forms can be requested by telephoning 01 2057260 and submitting them to People of the Year Awards, Rehab, Roslyn Park, Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4. Stay tuned weekdays to Tubridy on RTÉ 2fm, 9am to 12 midday for further details.

 

Nominated by members of the public, the People of the Year Awards are very much the people’s awards. Ireland’s premier awards event, the awards become even more celebrated each year and have become a key highlight in the Irish social calendar with a galaxy of stars and celebrated public figures attending on the night.

 

Among the award winners in recent years have been: Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Brian O’Driscoll, David Kelly, Keith Duffy, Nuala O’Loan, Padraig Harrington, Christy Moore, Tommy Tiernan, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Terry Wogan, Maeve Binchy, Dr Mo Mowlam, Ronan Keating, Senator George Mitchell, Mary Robinson, Veronica Guerin, and Sonia O’Sullivan.