People of the Year Awards 2009

The People of the Year Awards, organised by Rehab and sponsored by QUINN-healthcare, provide a unique opportunity for the Irish public to honour outstanding contributions by individuals to life on the island. Nominations are welcomed on an all-island basis.

Each year members of the public nominate people who have enhanced the quality of life in Ireland, increased civic pride, or through acts of bravery have touched the lives of the community.

The list of winners since the awards began in 1975 reads like a who's who of Irish life over more than a quarter of a century. John Hume, Padraig Harrington, Mo Mowlam, Brian Keenan, Veronica Guerin, Sir Bob Geldof, Seamus Heaney and Maeve Binchy are just some of the previous award winners.

But in addition to these household names, a particular focus of the event is the "unsung heroes" who have made a difference at community level.

The award recipients are chosen from the public nominations by adjudicators comprising leading members of the media, business, public service and community sectors.



(Winners of the People of the Year Awards 2009)

QUINN-healthcare were delighted to sponsor the People of the Year Awards 2009 for the third year. The glittering awards ceremony was held at the Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co. Dublin. The event was hosted by Gráinne Seoige and broadcast live on RTÉ 1. An Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD was guest of honour at the Awards presentation.

Mr Dónal Clancy, General Manager commented at the recent launch

“This is QUINN-healthcare’s third year working with the People of the Year Awards and we are delighted to play a role in recognising individuals and organisations who have achieved extraordinary things. I never cease to be inspired by the outstanding contributions that citizens make to the life of the nation, whether it’s putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others or making it a better place for all of us to live.”


QUINN-healthcare is committed to enhancing healthcare in the community in Ireland and continue to offer excellent value cover, dedicated customer care and innovation to the health insurance market.

The Irish Rugby Team received a People of the Year Award for their skill, dedication and their sporting success and Brian O’Driscoll, in recognition of his personal achievement and immense contribution to Irish rugby also received a People of the Year award.

For bringing love and hope to children who needed it most and for making a life-changing contribution to thousands of abandoned children, Debbie Deegan was honoured with the International Person of the Year Award. For his crucial role in re-energizing Ireland’s unique musical heritage and for his inspirational talent as a musician and vocalist that brought so much pleasure to so many people, Ronnie Drew was posthumously awarded a People of the Year Award.

The Irish Hospice Foundation was awarded a People of the Year Award for its support and commitment to the development of a world-class hospice/palliative care service in Ireland, and for its vision for the future of all people facing the end of life.

David Kelly received a People of the Year Award for his immense contribution to stage and screen in Ireland. Other 2009 People of the Year recipients included Steve Collins, Sarah Kavanagh, Christine Buckley, Michael O’Brien and Eleanor Thomson. For her unparalleled dedication, care and love for the children who attend the eye clinic in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Sister Bernadette Lanigan received the Nurse of the Year.

The award winners were chosen by an adjudicating committee comprising of editors from national newspapers, provincial press and broadcast media from nominations made from the public.