Stella O'Leary, who is President Biden's observer to the International Fund for Ireland, is among the recipients of a Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2024.
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, announced ten award recipients. Three are from the U.S. including Washington, D.C.-based O'Leary.
Announcing the rewards the Tánaiste said: “Irish people overseas continue to make vital contributions to their communities and on the international stage. I am always very honoured when I get to see first-hand the impact they make locally and globally.
“The ten recipients announced today highlight the diversity of areas where the global Irish are making a difference - arts, culture, sport, charitable and community works, business, peace, inclusion and equality.
“The Presidential Distinguished Service Award acknowledges the connection between the work of the recipients and our values as a nation, strengthening the ties between Ireland and the Diaspora.”
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming added: “We are immensely proud of our global Irish family.
“Each of this year’s recipients is a leader in their chosen field and rightfully deserving of the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards in recognition of their work and their contribution to enhancing Ireland’s reputation.
“It is particularly welcome to see recipients from four continents, demonstrating the diversity of contributions being made by Irish people, and those with strong affinity to Ireland, across the world.”
The 2024 award winners are Seamus Coleman, Britain, Arts, Culture & Sport; Aduke Gomez, Nigeria, Arts, Culture & Sport; Rosalind Scanlon, Britain, Arts, Culture & Sport; Prof. Enrico Terrinoni, Italy Arts, Culture & Sport; Orla Kiely, Britain, Business and Economic Development; Sr. Teresa McKeon,
Sierra Leone, Charitable Works & Advocacy; Mary O’Neil, USA, Inclusion & Equality, Pam O’Mahony,
Australia, Irish Community Support; Patrick Leahy, USA, Peace, Reconciliation and Development;
Stella O’Leary, USA Peace, Reconciliation and Development.
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award was established by the Irish government following the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora and was first awarded in 2012.
The 2024 awards will be presented by President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin in January 2025.
