Preasráitis
Tánaiste Simon Harris Honours the 2024 Presidential Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has congratulated the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad which this year include footballer Seamus Coleman, designer Orla Kiely and playwright Rosalind Scanlon.
The 2024 recipients were presented with their award by President Higgins at a ceremony held today, 30 January 2025, in Áras an Uachtaráin.
The award celebrates members of the Irish diaspora and recognises the recipient’s contribution to their communities, Ireland or Ireland’s reputation in a number of fields.
The ten recipients work in a variety of fields, including arts, sport, business, Irish Studies, community support, human rights advocacy, inclusion, education and charitable works.
Speaking after the ceremony, Tánaiste Simon Harris TD, said: “The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards is an important opportunity to celebrate the profound global impact of the Irish diaspora.
“The Ireland of today is modern and diverse and this diversity is reflected in our awardees tonight who are spread across four continents and work in various areas of expertise.
“Some of those that received the award tonight are Irish citizens, others can trace their Irish heritage though generations and some hold great affinity to Ireland, Irish culture and values.
“Each of them has had a profound impact on the lives of others and this is why they are deserving of our recognition tonight.”
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, said: “It was a pleasure to meet this year’s recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards.
“Their work is a reminder of the strength of the global Irish community.
“Not only have each of this year’s recipients have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields, they have also showcased Irish values and culture on an international stage.”
Following the conferring ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin, Tánaiste Simon Harris hosted a dinner at Dublin Castle in honour of this year’s awardees.
The PDSA 2024 recipients are:
| Recipients | Category | Location |
| Seamus Coleman | Arts, Culture & Sport | Britain |
| Aduke Gomez | Arts, Culture & Sport | Nigeria |
| Rosalind Scanlon | Arts, Culture & Sport | Britain |
| Prof. Enrico Terrinoni | Arts, Culture & Sport | Italy |
| Orla Kiely | Business and Economic Development | Britain |
| Sr. Teresa McKeon | Charitable Works & Advocacy | Sierra Leone |
| Mary O’Neil | Inclusion & Equality | USA |
| Pam O’Mahony | Irish Community Support | Australia |
| Patrick Leahy | Peace, Reconciliation and Development | USA |
| Stella O’Leary | Peace, Reconciliation and Development | USA |
ENDS
Press Office
30 January 2025
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award was established by the 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 award is neither an honours system, nor does it confer any legal entitlements upon the recipients.
In order to be eligible for consideration, nominees must be habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:
(i) have rendered distinguished service to the nation and/or its reputation abroad;
(ii) have actively and demonstrably contributed to Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad in at least one of the categories listed above;
(iii) have a track record of sustained support and engagement with Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad over a period of not less than 5 years;
(iv) or have given sustained and distinguished service on a global or international issue of importance.
The scheme is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with nominations made through Ireland’s network of Diplomatic Missions.
A High Level Panel was established to make recommendations to Government. This Panel includes Mr Joe Hackett, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Chair); Mr John Callinan, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach; Ms Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President.