The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today announced the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2024.
Announcing the recipients of the award, 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 TD 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 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 Awards will be presented by President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin in January 2025.
Recipients of the 2024 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards:
2024 PDSA Recipient Shortlist
Location
Category
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 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 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 (Chair); Mr John Callinan, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach; Ms Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; and four representatives from the non-Government sector.
Nominations are made through Ireland’s network of Diplomatic Missions.