Irish community volunteer Pamela O’Mahony from New South Wales is to receive an Irish Presidential award for her work. 

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, announced the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2024.

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 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.”

Pamela is the only Australian recipient this year and is being awarded in the category of Irish Community Support. 

In 2019, Pamela O’Mahony received a Community Hero Award at the annual Brigid Awards, set up to recognise the contribution of women of Irish heritage to Australian society. 

The award recognised her work on behalf of the Irish community in Sydney and New South Wales through GAA clubs, the St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and the Ireland Calling radio program.

Congratulating Pamela on her Presidential award, the Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney shared: “Congratulations to all of this year’s PDSA winners, in particular our own Pam O’Mahoney!!!!

“We here in the Consulate are so proud of Pam and so delighted that she has received this recognition for her exceptional contribution to the Irish Community in New South Wales.”

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.

Main picture: Pamela O’Mahony. Credit: Facebook.com/Ireland Calling Cover picture: Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland. Credit: President.ie.