Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad - 2013 Nominations
Nominations are now invited for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad 2013 – Closing Date for Receipt of Nominations: Monday April 22nd
Background
On 17 March 2012, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D., announced the Government’s decision to establish the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. The Award provides recognition by the Irish State for persons living abroad, primarily Irish citizens, those entitled to Irish citizenship and those of Irish descent, who have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland and/or Irish communities abroad. The Award will not be an honours system and will not confer any legal entitlements or benefits upon the recipients, including a right to Irish citizenship.
The US-based recipients of Awards in 2012 were:
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Ms. Loretta Brennan Glucksman (Peace, Reconciliation and Development category)
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Sr. Lena Deevy (Irish Community Support)
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Mr. Chuck Feeney (Charitable Works)
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Mr. Donald Keough (Business and Education)
Further information on the 2012 Award presentation ceremony is available here and it is also available to view by clicking here.
Eligibility Criteria
Nominees for this Award should be drawn from the following areas of achievement:
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Irish community support;
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Arts, culture and sport;
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charitable works;
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business and education;
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peace, reconciliation and development.
In order to be eligible for consideration, nominees must be habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:
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have rendered distinguished service to the nation and/or its reputation abroad;
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have actively and demonstrably contributed to Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad in at least one of the categories outlined above;
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have a track record of sustained support and engagement with Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad over a period of not less than 5 years.
While the scheme is open to all persons living abroad, it is primarily aimed at Irish citizens, those entitled to Irish citizenship and persons of Irish descent, who have made a sustained and distinguished service to Ireland or Irish communities abroad.
Each submission should make clear the category under which the nomination is being made. It should include a detailed presentation on the individual’s background and contribution to Ireland, Irish communities abroad or Ireland’s international reputation.
Nominations for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award should be submitted to the Embassy via the downloadable form below by no later than close of business (US Eastern time) on Monday April 22nd 2013 to the following e-mail address: washingtonembassy@dfa.ie . We regret that a facility for online nominations is not available at the present time.
Please note that the Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade is covered by the Irish Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.
A High Level Panel based in Ireland will consider all nominations received from abroad and will make recommendations to the Government in respect of no more than 10 individuals in any one year. It is expected that the recipients for 2013 Awards will be presented with them by the President in late 2013.
