X-Factor’s Mary Byrne Makes Final Call for Nominations
With just days to go to the closing date (Monday June 20) to this year’s People of the Year Awards, singing sensation Mary Byrne has called on the people of the Mid West to get their nominations in now before it’s too late. The X-Factor superstar is calling for the nation’s inspirational citizens to be celebrated and for people to put forward the everyday heroes around them who do extraordinary things.
The People of the Year Awards, Ireland’s national awards ceremony organised by Rehab and sponsored by QUINN-healthcare, takes place in Dublin on Saturday 10th September, and will be broadcast before a live television audience of hundreds of thousands on RTÉ One.
Mary Byrne believes it’s important that we recognise our heroes. ‘There are heroes in our communities all around us, if we take a moment to look. They are people who break records, people who save people from incredible danger, people who do incredible acts of selflessness, people who campaign to right a terrible injustice. They are people who set an example for all of us and who deserve to be recognised for their remarkable efforts. So I would encourage everyone to get nominating their heroes now for this year’s People of the Year Awards before it’s too late! The closing date is Tuesday June 20, so click on to www.peopleoftheyear.com today.’
Now in their 37th year, the Awards become even more celebrated each year and have become a key highlight in the Irish social calendar with Ireland’s great and good sharing in celebrating the achievements of individuals and organisations to life in Ireland and abroad.
The winners of the Awards are nominated by members of the public and finalised by a panel of adjudicators. Categories include Young Person of the Year, International Person of the Year, with other Awards presented for achievements in the areas of arts and culture, sport, public sector achievement, among others. A special new category has been introduced for 2011 – the Best Friend of the Year Award. This Award seeks to pay tribute to a true friend who goes far beyond the call of duty to help and support someone – a soul-mate whose efforts deserve great acknowledgement.
Previous winners have come from all walks of life, from all age groups and from all backgrounds – all with one thing in common – their deeds have made a difference at home, in their community and to the nation. Amongst the more high-profile winners have been golfer Graeme McDowell (2010), broadcaster Gerry Ryan (2010 – posthumous award), actor David Kelly (2009), the Irish rugby team (2009), Olympic boxer Kenny Egan (2008), singer/actor Keith Duffy (2008), golfer Padraig Harrington (2007), campaigner Sir Bob Geldof (2005), broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan (2005), and singer Ronan Keating (1999).