Ireland Celebrates Its Heroes - People Of The Year Awards

Sports stars and famous faces were honored alongside ordinary communities and individuals at the People of the Year 2012 held in Dublin at the weekend.

At a time when the economy threatens to keep spirits low in Ireland, the occasion was a reminder that behind the drip-feed of bad news, there are Irish men and women inspiring others with heroic and selfless acts.

The awards are often seen as Ireland's answer to the UK's honors system - where instead of knighthoods and OBEs, people are nominated by the public and winners chosen by an adjudicating panel.

Ireland's Paralympic team took the top overall prize of People of the Year, for their inspiring achievements at the London Games, where they won 16 medals including 8 gold.

The winners in full:

Ireland's Paralympics Team - People of the Year.

Over the course of the 12 days, the 49 athletes competed in ten sports and pushed their bodies to the limit to achieve a myriad of sporting triumphs, not least double gold by Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop in athletics, and Mark Rohan in cycling.

The athletes have also received wonderful support from team coaches and staff, as well as from their families and legions of fans.

The team epitomises the Paralympic motto "Spirit in Motion" and the team members' achievements have inspired a nation, demonstrating unequivocally the words of Stephen Hawking at the opening ceremony - "however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at."

The award was presented by Angela Kerins, chairperson of the People of the Year Awards adjudicating committee and Chief Executive, Rehab.

Katie Taylor - Sports Person of the Year.

For her outstanding sporting achievements, most recently as an Olympic gold medallist, and for being a proud Ambassador for Ireland.

Katie has fought in 16 countries, winning 14 gold medals in international championships, including four consecutive world championships in her 60kg lightweight division.

On Thursday 9 August last, Katie secured victory against Russia's Sofya Ochigava in the Olympic women's lightweight boxing final, winning gold and, with it, the hearts of a nation. Katie was presented with the award by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD.

Joanne O'Riordan - Young Person of the Year.

For her determination in highlighting the challenges faced by people with disabilities today. 16-year-old Joanne was born with a rare condition - total amelia syndrome, leaving her without arms and legs, and is one of just seven people in the world with the condition.

In April, Joanne was invited to New York to deliver the keynote address at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union's conference, Girls in Technology. At the conference, she challenged leading women in their field to build her a robot. Joanne was presented with her award by singer/musician Niall Breslin, AKA Bressie.

Union Hall, Cork, Community Group of the Year.

For its outstanding community spirit and unshakeable resolve in efforts to find five fishermen lost at sea in January on the Tit Bonhomme - skipper Michael Hayes, 53, Kevin Kershaw, 21, Wael Mohamed, 35, Attaia Shaban, 26 and Saied Ali Eldin, 22.

With different communities mourning the loss of their loved ones, Union Hall brought everyone together over the following four weeks of the search and provided unstinting physical and emotional support to those affected by the tragedy, while there were also numerous wonderful acts of generosity and kindness by people from all across the country.

The award was presented by celebrated actor Jeremy Irons.

Maeve Flaherty, from Ballinteer, Dublin 16, winner of the 2012 special award category Neighbour of the Year.

For her fantastic neighbourly spirit, willingness to turn her home into a place of refuge for people in difficulty, and unwavering support as a friend and neighbour.

"Everyone in Ballinteer knows Maeve," says Margaret Moran, Maeve's neighbour of 27 years, who nominated her. Maeve is the epitome of what a good neighbour should be, offering a helping hand to all in trouble, from neighbours caring for a sick relative, children in need of a warm, nurturing home environment, the homeless and those in need of shelter.

Known locally as "Maeve who helps everyone", she mows the grass on the street, plants flowers, cleans up litter and graffiti, and supports a club in the area for local youths with whom she has a fantastic rapport.

Her selflessness is perhaps best illustrated in the incredible support that she has provided Margaret, who is deaf, in caring for Margaret's husband who is being treated for cancer.

"I don't think myself or my husband would still be here if it wasn't for her. She lives her life to better the lives of others. She is a true living legend," says Margaret.

The award, promoted in association with RTÉ 2fm's Tubridy program, was presented by Ryan Tubridy.

Broadcaster Colm Murray, People of the Year Award winner, for his courageous response to a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, and his inspirational efforts in speaking out about the condition and the need for a cure.

In January of this year, in a deeply moving documentary, MND - the Inside Track, with great honesty and openness Colm brought the nation on his journey of living with motor neurone disease, seeking to inform and educate, and to help those in a similar position.

Colm's daughter Kate accepted the award on his behalf from retired RTÉ news presenter Anne Doyle and 2000 People of the Year Award winner and champion jockey Ruby Walsh.

Garda Ciarán Jones, posthumous winner of a People of the Year Award, for the enormous bravery, heroism and selflessness shown by him in losing his life trying to protect others in the floods of winter 2011.

On the night of 24 October that year, 24-year-old Garda Jones was returning home when he and his sister's boyfriend came across a flooded Ballysmuttan Bridge, just off the Sally Gap Road, in Manor Kilbride.

It was in the process of alerting a vehicle at the opposite side of the bridge to the hazards of the rising waters that Garda Jones was engulfed by the intense force of the water and swept away, making the ultimate sacrifice for his community.

Ciarán's mum and dad, Brenda and John Jones accepted the award on his behalf from broadcaster and author Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

Mark Pollock, People of the Year Award winner, for his determination in overcoming significant physical adversity and constantly pushing out new boundaries as an explorer and adventure racer.

Mark, who is blind, has taken part in many extreme races, including the Gobi March, the Dead Sea Ultra, the Everest Marathon, the Irish Sea Kayak Challenge from Ireland to Wales, and the North Pole Marathon.

He was also the first blind man to race to the South Pole and to co-skipper a boat in the Round Ireland Yacht Race.

Mark has experienced even more adversity in recent years when, following an accident in 2010, which has left him paralysed from the waist down, he has had to adjust to life in a wheelchair.

However, his spirit remains positive and upbeat and Mark is currently exploring the frontiers of recovery through aggressive physical therapy and the use of robotic technology.

He was presented with his award by actress Amy Huberman.

Dr Tony Scott, People of the Year Award winner, for his immense contribution to the field of science in Ireland and co-founding of what is today known as the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Now approaching its 50th anniversary, the exhibition is the longest-running event of its kind in Europe and the second longest-running worldwide.

As a former Dean of the Faculty of Science in University College Dublin, Dr Scott has played a pivotal role in the promotion of science among young people in Ireland for decades, helping to launch the careers of many of Ireland's leading entrepreneurial and academic scientists.

Dr Scott was presented with the award by Eric Doyle, winner of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2012.

Cork Penny Dinners, People of the Year Award winner, for providing food and warmth to those in need in Cork over the last 100 years.

The city's oldest independent caring charity, each week it offers over 1,000 nourishing midday meals to people who drop by.

It traces its origins to the soup kitchens run by the Society of Friends (Quakers) at the time of the Great Famine in the 1840s.

Back then, in return for a penny, people were given a quart of soup and half a loaf of bread.

Today, people pay what they can afford, whether it's one cent or €1. The award was presented by well-known TV star Rachel Sarah Murphy.

Gill Waters, People of the Year Award winner, for her innovation in pioneering the Shave or Dye campaign in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and for creating vital public dialogue around cancer.

In 2009, Gill Waters, who works with radio station Today FM, decided that she wanted to do something that would raise much-needed funds for cancer research and care.

Gill's idea was simple - to persuade people to shave or dye their hair and raise funds in the process.

In three short years, the campaign has raised a fantastic €4.6 million for the Society's patient care services.

Gill was presented with her award by Ireland rugby international, Donncha O'Callaghan.