British Geriatrics Society

Professor Desmond O’Neill scooped an All Ireland Inspirational Life Award today for his inspirational leadership in engaging older people to lead active and fulfilling lives at an award ceremony in Belfast, hosted by BT.

The professor was presented with his award, along with two other winners, by Senator Mary White and Dame Joan Harbison, for his Trojan work championing active and positive ageing in Ireland. The Professor is most well known for his involvement and recommendations in the Leas Cross report, the highly publicised enquiry into the standard of care in Irish nursing homes, developing the Irish Gerontological Society, as well as for his roles as: Medical Director for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Chair of both the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care and the Irish governments Elder Abuse Working Group.

Commenting on his recognition, Professor Des O’Neill said, "My work to date has focussed on promoting an Ireland that welcomes and supports ageing as a positive development. In order to achieve this, it requires joint working between older people, advocacy groups and the professionals and academics active in the sciences of ageing. By recognising the people, projects and organisations showcased here today we are developing a common goal in making Ireland a place where ageing is a positive experience, and promoting a sense of a demographic dividend. Other winners on the day were, Carmel Devaney, aged 73, from Westmeath, who won her award for being an outstanding role model chairperson of the Athlone Careers Support Group and for living a life dedicated to caring for others, including family and friends, over the past 20 years. Also awarded was Belfast City Council, who showed leadership to end discrimination on age grounds and in developing initiatives to engage older people in leading active and fulfilling lives, under the theme, Better Support for People and Communities, which is run as part of the Belfast Healthy Ageing strategic partnership. The award, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, is kindly supported by BT, The Irish Times, Vodafone and Tyrone Crystal.

Speaking after receiving her award Ms. Carmel Devaney said, ”I was shocked to hear I was nominated for, and won this award for caring for family and friends, which I have done all my life. In today’s fast paced world, people don’t have time for older people, but they are at the very top of my list, especially as chairperson of the Athlone Carers Group. The group is a great relief to those who spend their time dedicated to others and may have no other outlet. We meet once a week, where members partake in activities, exercise, workshops and even have the opportunity to go abroad for weekends.” Councillor Diane Dodds, Chair of the Council’s political reference group leading on older peoples’ issues commented on Belfast City Council’s win saying, “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Belfast City Council. As a civic leader for Belfast we have put tackling issues affecting older people’s wellbeing in the City as a priority under our theme of Better Support for People and Communities. As a key partner in the Belfast Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership our goal is to continue to drive the work of the partnership forward, and make improvements for older people living in and visiting the City.”

Commenting at the award ceremony, Senator Mary White, spokesperson for older people and children said, “The amount of voluntary work people, organisations and communities do on a daily basis to promote positive ageing and inclusion of older people in society is awe inspiring. I am delighted to be one of many people here today to honor Professor Des O’Neill, Carmel Devaney and the Belfast City Council for the many hours of hard work, dedication and kindness that they have put into making Ireland a better Island to grow old in. Each winner is a credit to our country and it is with great pride that we can celebrate their success today.”

Each winner was presented with a trophy from Tyrone Crystal for their outstanding work for leadership and achievement in enabling older people to realise their potential and in combating ageism.

The awards developed by Senator Mary White, spokesperson for older people and children, were attended by well known organisations and persons, north and south, who are co-operating in its promotion and adjudication: Age & Opportunity; Age Concern Help the Aged NI and Third Age Foundation. Awards will be presented in May and August 2010 followed by an annual event to recognise the achievements of all the award winners. A number of entries were received from right across the Island of Ireland and nominations are now being sought for the next round. Applications can be made online at www.irishtimes.com/events/inspirational or by emailing Ashley Beston at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and requesting an application form. The closing date for the second round of nominations is Friday, 30th April.

Award categories:

·         Category 1: A man or a woman aged 55 and over, who is an outstanding role model of an active and inspirational life in later years.

·         Category 2: A man or a woman who has provided inspirational leadership in engaging older people to lead active and fulfilling lives.

·         Category 3: An organisation, in the public, private or community sector, which has shown leadership to end discrimination on age grounds or taken initiatives to engage older people in leading active and fulfilling lives.