Ferbane and Killavilla natives honoured at 2023 Offaly Person of the Year presentation

Ferbane's Seamus Dooley, who is the Irish Secretary and Assistant General Sectrary of the National Union of Journalists, and Tony Bergin, a retired dairy farmer from Cooleshall in the far south of the county, were feted by a large attendance of family, friends, past award winners and members of the Offaly Association at the gala occasion in the Bridge House Hotel.

Seamus was presented with the prestigious 2023 Offaly Person of the Year award while Tony received the 2023 Unsung Hero of Offaly award.

A little bit of history was made on the night as Seamus' late father, Eddie Joe Dooley, also received the award in 1990, making them the only father and son duo to be so honoured.

The achievements of both men were recounted in their citations read by organising committee members, Pat Teehan and Peter Carter.

In two very well received and emotional addresses, both Seamus and Tony looked back over their lives and outlined how important the awards were to them.

Seamus is a tireless advocate of journalists in all sectors and is a regular commentator in the national media, He was regularly in the national headlines this year during the various crises at RTE.

He was educated locally in Ferbane and at the School of Journalism in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Seamus started his career as a reporter in the Tullamore Tribune before being appointed Editor of the Roscommon Champion. He worked with the Irish Independent before taking up his role with the NUJ.

A proud Offaly man, Seamus has never forgotten his roots in west Offaly.

Nonagenarian Tony, is a retired dairy farmer, who is an inventor of all things practical. He has won numerous competitions across Ireland, including a number at the National Inventions Section of Tullamore Show which he has been exhibiting at since its inception.

The talented former hurler and golfer, is a regular contributor to the media both locally and nationally and has great tales to tell of farming and country living long ago.

Tony came to national prominence during the Covid period when RTE featured a report on the relationship he had built up with a fox whom he fed every evening from a plate after his tea.

There was a wonderful atmosphere with a great crowd present for the presentation awards by sponsor, Noel Tynan, of the Celt in Dublin, and Liam Fleury, Chairperson of the organising sub-committee of the Offaly Association (Dublin).

Speaking at the outset of proceedings, Liam Fleury extended a céad míle fáilte to all present including Minister Pippa Hackett, Chief Executive, Offaly County Council Anna Marie Delaney, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District Council, Cllr Declan Harvey, all the other public representatives who were present and family members and friends of the two award recipients.

"The presentation of the Offaly Person of the Year award commenced in 1988 and this is the first time that a father and son have won the award.

"I would like to welcome former Offaly Person of the Year award winners Dr Philip Brady, Michael Byrne, Matt Connor, Brendan Martin and Noel Tynan, who are present here tonight. I would also like to welcome former Unsung Hero award recipient, Jim Feighery who is also present.

"The Offaly Association (Dublin) was established in 1957 and is still going strong. This year is the fourth year that we will have hosted a golf classic to raise funds for Offaly GAA and it will take place in Palmerstown House Estate on September 5 and 6. The success of the last three golf classics enabled us to present over €80,000 to Offaly GAA County Board.

"I would like to pay tribute to Noel Tynan, The Celt traditional Irish pub, Talbot Street for his generous sponsorship of the awards for over thirty years.

"I want to thank my fellow sub committee members Noel McCann, Ger Scully, Pat Teehan and Peter Carter for all their hard work and support over the years. The citations for the award recipients this year were prepared by Ger Scully.

"I want to thank the musicians for the wonderful entertainment in the foyer of the hotel for their wonderful music, the management and staff of the Bridge House Hotel for the wonderful meal, the local media for their ongoing support and Pat Teehan for his wonderful work in preparing the souvenir programme and Brosna Press for their sponsorship of the programme," said Mr Fleury.

Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick congratulated Seamus and Tony on winning the awards.

"I want to thank Liam and his sub committee for their great work and Noel Tynan for his continued sponsorship of the awards.

"The awards acknowledges those in Offaly ho have contributed immensely to the county.

"Offaly County Council is delighted to be associated with an event that honours people in the county.

"I remember the last time I was Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council the late Pat Smullen was the recipient of the Offaly Person of the Year Award.

"I want to thank the Offaly Association for inviting me to a function that honours Offaly people and it is on a night that the Offaly senior footballers defeated Laois in the Leinster senior football championship.

Following the presentations, the proceedings of the night were brought to a conclusion by a powerful rendition of 'The Offaly Rover' by Tullamore's Mick Scully.