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Lord Mayor of Cork Honours the Contribution of the Community and Voluntary Sector and Awards John Spillane with the Culture Award 2025

07/05/2025

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle, along with the Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’ Sullivan recognised the contribution of individuals and organisations to the life of the city. John Spillane was also presented with the 2025 Culture Award in recognition of his remarkable contribution to Cork’s cultural life.

Speaking at the awards, the Lord Mayor said: “The Lord Mayor’s Civic Awards are an opportunity for me to pick just six from the many hundreds I could have chosen, not for any one event or occasion but in the main, for a lifetime of dedication and service in the common good. And for every six I could have chosen, there could have been 600 others"

 “We have all been touched or had our lives enriched by the work of one or more of tonight’s Community Award winners and this is the location and occasion to acknowledge and recognise that,” he added. 

Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O’ Sullivan went on to say: “While the Council is an important presence in the community, it is not the sole means for making improvements in the community. Your presence tonight is a very important recognition of the fact you, the community, are the activists on the ground that plot and plan how to improve your area."

Deputy Editor of The Echo/Echolive.ie, media sponsor of the awards, John Dolan added: “The Echo has been a voice of the communities of Cork, and has advocated for, publicised, and celebrated the kind of community and voluntary groups that we see before us tonight. These groups, and the people who propel them, enrich our communities, and we want you to know that we will always be there to support you in your endeavours."

In recognising the immense contribution John Spillane has made to the city and to the world of music and culture, the Lord Mayor said: “John Spillane is a man at the height of his creativity, energy and enthusiasm. This then is not so much a lifetime achievement award as a ‘watch this space’ award. John has given us so much and has so much left to give and it is only fitting then that we recognise this in a special way this evening.”

AWARD WINNERS 

Lord Mayor’s Civic Awards 

  • Graham Clifford - In recognition of his work with Sanctuary Runners, promoting solidarity and inclusion through sport. 
  • Jimmy Crowley - In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the musical landscape of Cork, as a collector and performer of the city’s cultural heritage. 
  • Joanna Dukkipati - In recognition of her commitment to supporting and empowering migrant communities through encouraging cultural expression. 
  • Nora O Donovan - In recognition of her advocacy and efforts in championing the rights of older people in Cork. 
  • Siobhán O’Dowd. - In recognition of her long-term contributions to community development, inclusion, lifelong learning and LGBTI+ activism in Cork. 
  • Maria Young - In recognition of her dedication to environmental sustainability by encouragement to all working and interacting with nature. 

Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards

  • Arts Culture Recreation and Heritage - Mexican Community Cork 
  • Climate Action, Active Travel and Sustainable Development - Save Our Bride Otters 
  • Community Development and Lifelong Learning - Clogheen Kerry Pike Community Association 
  • Recreation Sport Health and Wellbeing - Mayfield Men’s Shed 
  • Social Inclusion Advocacy and Integration - Cycling for All Cork 
  • Social Services Charities and Environment: - The Hut Youth Project 

The overall winner for 2025 in the Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards is N.A.S.C. 

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