The Gaelic Writers’ Association (GWA) recently held its annual awards dinner at the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin, where several outstanding individuals were recognized for their contributions to Gaelic games. Among the winners were John Conlon from Clare, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh from Kerry, Hannah Looney from Cork, and Niall Grimley from Armagh, who were honored as Personality of the Year in their respective codes.
Additionally, Sean McGoldrick received the Lifetime Achievement award, while Dermot Weeshie Lynch was named PRO of the Year. David Hickey, Tom Dempsey, Kitty Ryan Savage, and Ciara Gaynor were inducted into the GWA Hall of Fame for their remarkable achievements in Gaelic games.
David Hickey, a key player for Dublin in the 1970s, also had success in semi-professional rugby and has been involved in various important causes. Tom Dempsey, known for his role in Wexford’s 1996 All-Ireland victory, has since become a respected analyst for RTE. Kitty Ryan Savage captained the first team to win the All-Ireland ladies title in 1974, and Ciara Gaynor, a five-time All-Ireland winner, continues to demonstrate her dedication to sports by competing in ironman contests.
The awards ceremony also paid tribute to the exceptional career of Seán McGoldrick, a renowned sports writer who has covered Gaelic football, hurling, and boxing with passion and insight. Dermot ‘Weeshie’ Lynch was recognized for his outstanding work as Munster GAA PRO, setting a high standard for media relations.
The event highlighted the extraordinary contributions of current players to Gaelic games, with a special mention of Niall Grimley from Armagh, who overcame personal tragedy and injury to help his team win the All-Ireland title. John Conlon from Clare played a crucial role in securing the county’s first All-Ireland title since 2013, while Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh led Kerry Ladies to their first national senior title in nearly three decades.
In addition to the individual awards, the GWA also acknowledged the outstanding achievements of players in all four codes of the GAA, celebrating their dedication to their counties and the sport. The winners of the GWA Awards for 2024 include Niall Grimley (Armagh) for Football Personality of the Year, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh for Ladies Football Personality of the Year, John Conlon (Clare) for Hurling Personality of the Year, Hannah Looney (Cork) for Camogie Personality of the Year, David Hickey (Dublin) for Football Hall of Fame, Kitty Ryan Savage (Tipperary) for Ladies Football Hall of Fame, Tom Dempsey (Wexford) for Hurling Hall of Fame, Ciara Gaynor (Tipperary) for Camogie Hall of Fame, Dermot ‘Weeshie’ Lynch (Kerry and Munster) for PRO of the Year, and Sean McGoldrick for Lifetime Achievement.
The GWA Awards ceremony serves as a reminder of the incredible talent and dedication within the Gaelic games community, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the sport. Congratulations to all the deserving winners of this year’s awards!