Paschal Mooney (Outstanding contribution to the Irish Community award)

THE Paschal Mooney is a man of many talents. Broadcaster, politician, journalist - Paschal is all this and more.

Educated in Ireland and London Paschal has long been a vocal supporter of the Irish in Britain - campaigning on a number of issues ranging from free travel for pensioners to the broadcasting of RTE´ programmes across the Irish Sea. He became a Senator in 1987 and served the Senate with distinction until leaving earlier this year.

Previously he made his name as a broadcaster - joining RTE´ in 1975 as a contributor/researcher to Country Music Time. Between 1977-1983 he worked as a sub-editor with TV Sport and was a member of the Radio 1 team covering the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He has also researched, scripted and presented several feature programmes for Radio 1 including a two-hour broadcast via satellite from Nashville in Tennessee.

In addition Paschal's RTE´ Irish Experience programme which has visited various Irish centres across Britain has made a major contribution to articulating the strength and vibrancy of the community in Britain to audiences in Ireland. It has also allowed members of the community to express their hopes and ambitions for the future and painted a vivid picture of how the Irish in Britain have become a central part of the nation's daily life.

Paschal has also been an impassioned advocate for more Irish Government help for the community abroad and has worked tirelessly on the issue of providing an RTE´ service for those living in Britain. His efforts have now drawn much-deserved recognition from the readers of The Irish Post newspaper.


John Gormley (National Community award)

Gaelic games in Britain has been blessed by many stalwarts over the years. But few have done as much to raise the profile of the game as John Gormley.

A man steeped in GAA he is liked and admired by all that know him - and his tireless work and dedication can be seen in the scores of young players taking part in the game we love so much every week.

John served as Hertfordshire County Board chairman for six years during which time he forged a reputation for innovation and enthusiasm. It says much for his legacy that when he stepped down at the County Board convention in Oxford he was given a standing ovation from the delegates. But luckily John was moving on to bigger and better things - as President of the Provincial Council of Britain. He was handed the position in February 2006 at the Crown Moran Hotel in London where he received his badge of office from Uachtar´n-tofa Nickey Brennan.

Since then John has proved a fine ambassador for the GAA in Britain. He is passionate about getting more young people involved in all aspects of the GAA and has been a prime mover in spreading both Gaelic football and hurling throughout schools across the country. His dedication has seen him travel thousands of miles to various events - but he always finds time to give help and advice to those who ask.

The Irish community in Britain and all those involved in GAA circles have much to thank him for.