Positive People: 1. Miriam O’Callaghan & Packie Bonner; 2. Ray Foley & JP Gilbourne; 3. Charlene McKenna & Lorraine Keane. (Pix. Robbie Reynolds)
US Open champion Rory McIlroy, the Ireland cricket team and the late PSNI PC Ronan Kerr were amongst those honoured at the 2011 People of the Year Awards, organised by Rehab and sponsored by QUINN-healthcare. The event was broadcast live on RTÉ One television from the Citywest Hotel in Dublin and saw a host of stars from the worlds of music, television and sport, along with politicians and dignitaries turn out to celebrate the annual event.
The Awards, now in their 37th year, were presented by Gráinne Seoige with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, the Guest of Honour. Guests on the evening included Lorraine Keane, Mary Kennedy, Eileen Dunne and Bryan Dobson, fashion duo Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, singing sensation Mary Byrne who performed on the night, Lottie Ryan, Miriam O’Callaghan, Nuala Carey, Claudia Carroll and Jean Byrne.
Sporting legends Packie Bonner and Shane Horgan were also in attendance along with rugby pundit Brent Pope, and RTE legends Joe Duffy and Larry Gogan. There was plenty of glamour on the red carpet with Fair City starlet Aoibhinn Garrihy, Raw actress Charlene McKenna and Republic of Telly presenter Jennifer Maguire, while other stars turning heads on the night included Triona McCarthy, Emma O’Driscoll, Katy Gannon and Geri Maye.
Ireland’s answer to an honours system, the Awards provide a unique opportunity for the Irish public to honour outstanding achievements and contributions made by individuals and organisations to life in our country today. The winners are chosen by members of the public through a nominations process and finalised by a panel of adjudicators, comprising of leading members of the media, voluntary sector and business community.
