Campaigning and Activism Shortlist 2021

Aisling Maloney volunteers with multiple organisations, both at home in Tipperary and within national and university-based organisations. Having just begun college this year, Aisling has a wealth of volunteering experience behind her.  

At a local level, Aisling is the secretary of the Thurles sub-group of Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg, chairperson of Youth Work Ireland Tipperary Junior Board of Management and a member of SpunOut’s Southeast Panel, as well as their National Action Panel. She has been involved in her past secondary school’s Green School initiative for a number of years. 

Aisling is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador and an regularly campaigns for Fridays for Future in relation to climate action, an organization with whom she recently travelled to the European Parliaments for the European Youth Event.  

Although she has just began her academic career in UCD, she is already a member of over forty societies and sits on many of their committees. She is the staff-student representative at the UCD Sutherland School of Law, acting as liaison between academic staff and her fellow classmates.  

Aisling’s passion for the causes she believes is drives her love of volunteering. She continuously raises awareness on issues such as mental health, climate change and disabilities and is always looking for new ways to get involved in impactful organisations. 

Larry Magnier has been a volunteer for twenty-eight years and was a founding member of both the Blackrock Tidy Towns and Louth Tidy Towns Together Committees.  

Larry has been instrumental in Blackrock’s success in national and county competitions. His continuous efforts steered Blackrock to a category win in the national Tidy Towns competition in 2019, as well as Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Blackrock has been the winner of the ‘Louth Looking Good’ awards for the past five years, and Larry has played a major role this success.  

Larry’s commitment to his community has been demonstrated over three decades. Projects such as the three sculptures on the promenade, the sundial, the under-grounding of cables, the founding of the park, the presentation of signage, heritage plaques, would not have been achieved without his input. Blackrock’s Gold status in the county litter league is largely due to his patrols three times a day on Main Street. John continues to provide his extensive knowledge as a resource for committee members.

Seamus Connolly is the Chairperson of Autism Equality Dublin Bay. After establishing the group, Seamus sought to connect parents of children on the autism spectrum across Dublin 2 and 4. His aim was to promote inclusion for children with autism, and in just 18 months, he has played a key role in the opening of three additional needs classes within local mainstream schools. Seamus has established after school activities for children with autism in the area, and continuously liaises with schools and departments to ensure the needs of children with autism are met.  

Seamus works closely with leading academic institutions to provide STEM classes to children with autism, an initiative he believes will have an immeasurable positive impact on the young people supported by Autism Equality Dublin Bay. 

Seamus’ commitment to Austism Equality Dublin Bay sees him take part in multiple fundraiser and awareness-raising campaigns. Members of the organization commend him on both his tireless dedication as well as fostering a renewed sense of community among parents engaged with the group.