Amazing charity worker named as Offaly's 'Most Inspirational Person'

A mother of four has been named as Offaly's 'Most Inspirational Person'

Olive Murray is celebrating this week after being named Offaly’s Most Inspirational Person at this year’s Gala Retail Inspiration Awards with Virgin Media. 

Olive’s extensive and inspirational charity work earned her the title of Inspirational Person in this year’s awards.

Established four years ago to celebrate individuals who work to create better communities with their selfless acts and inspirational deeds, Gala Retail awarded inspirational people from every county in Ireland, naming county inspirational people who were each gifted €1,000 in Ireland Hotel vouchers.

Olive really impressed the judges for her work in the local community and is a worthy winner of the county award for her inspirational efforts.

A mother of four children, Olive has fostered a number of children down through the years and sadly lost her eldest daughter, Vanessa to cancer approximately 21 years ago. It was losing Vanessa that motivated Olive to organise the annual Offaly Hospice Coffee Morning, which has run every year since her daughter’s passing. The coffee morning has gone from strength to strength and to date, Olive has raised €2,500 for Offaly Hospice. 

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From a huge volume of nominations, 26 county heroes were crowned. Noreen Murphy, from Bantry in County Cork, was named as the Overall Inspirational Person of the Year for her services to mental health with the establishment of Lisheen’s House Suicide Prevention Charity.

According to Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, choosing the winners was a challenging task. “We’ve heard some truly inspirational stories from people across Ireland during these awards, which has affirmed something we already knew – that we have so many selfless people carrying out great work in our communities,”  Gary said.

Mr Desmond continued:  “Now in their fourth year, the Inspiration Awards pay tribute to people who play a key role in creating a better country for us all. Operating in communities throughout Ireland, Gala Retailers have seen first-hand some of the great work that people have been doing and we are proud to have been able to recognise some of these inspirational individuals.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of nominations and Olive along with the fellow inspirational heroes are true examples of people who are making Ireland a better place. Congratulations Olive and all our county heroes!”

As a community retailer with 175 convenience stores nationwide, Gala store owners often hear of inspirational stories in their local communities, and this year’s Gala Retail Inspiration Awards with Virgin Media have elevated Ireland’s unsung heroes onto a national stage, giving these inspirational people the recognition they deserve.

Gala Retail has gifted €26,000 of prizes to the winners with the 26 county winners being awarded with €1000 hotel getaways across Ireland. For further information, see  www.gala.ie.