Donegal’s inspirational figures pick up national awards

Four figures from Donegal have won an Outsider Award at a ceremony held in the Sugar Club, Dublin.

Jennifer Doherty has won the Audience Choice Award, Paddy Conaghan won the Most Inspiring Person Award, Easkey Britton won the Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene Award and Liquid Therapy was recognised in the Most Impactful Outdoor Company category. 

Three other Donegal natives were nominated for the awards Joe Barr was the Man Of The Year nominee; Nikki Bradley was the Most Inspiring Award nominee; and Jason Black was the Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene nominee. 

The Outsider People of the Year Awards with 14 categories in total celebrates people and organisations that are doing amazing things outside mainstream sport on the Irish outdoor and adventure scene. The accolades were handed out by Dr Karen Weekes at a ceremony in the Sugar Club on Leeson Street in Dublin on Wednesday, 21 February. 

Overall, Donegal dominated the awards swooping four out of 14 at the ceremony. 

The Irish publication Outsider.ie hosted our annual awards ceremony supported by Sport Ireland, Craghoppers and Leave no Trace.

The Outsider People of the Year Award winners:

Outsider Woman of the Year Audience Choice Award: Jennifer Doherty

Jennifer Doherty (37) inspired the country with her outstanding hiking/mountaineering achievements in 2023 when she became the first blind person to conquer Ireland’s seven biggest mountains. Jennifer who is from Buncrana has been blind since birth. She always loved nature and the outdoors but hadn’t done much hiking, when the mountaineer Jason Black, got in touch to see if she fancied joining a trip to Everest Base Camp in Nepal in 2022.

Most Inspiring Person award, in memory of Olly O’Neill: Paddy Conaghan

Paddy Conaghan (82) swam in every port and beach along Ireland’s coast this year, raising over €100,000 for a counselling charity in Dungloe called Gemma’s Legacy of Hope. From the age of 17 to 80, Paddy who is from Arranmore Island in Donegal didn’t swim at all. But in 2020, his friend set up a free counselling service, and Paddy wanted to help raise some funds for them.

Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene Award: Easkey Britton

With the release of the book Ebb & Flow: How to Connect with the Power and Patterns of Water, the hugely inspirational surfer, academic and author, Easkey Britton (36), has written a rallying cry for water connection and protection in this country and beyond. Easkey who is from Rossnowlagh has long been a surfer and water protection advocate. She was the first woman to paddle out at the big wave spot, Aileens, at the Cliffs of Moher, and the first woman to surf in Iran, where she encouraged girls and women to try the sport.

Most Impactful Outdoor Company: Liquid Therapy

Liquid Therapy is determined to make the mental health benefits of coastal experiences accessible to all. They are committed to fostering an environment where young people can reap the therapeutic and physical rewards of surfing and ocean activities, regardless of their challenges.