Limerick nominees at the Friends of Breastfeeding Awards

LIMERICK is well-represented at this year’s The Friends of Breastfeeding Awards, which recognise excellence in breastfeeding promotion, advocacy, and support across both the professional and voluntary sectors on the island of Ireland. 

Two nominees for the awards are from Limerick, as well as a member of the judging panel, bringing excellent recognition to the county for its continued support in breastfeeding services and innovation.

Firstly, the University Maternity Hospital Limerick has been recognised for its ‘Lactation Station’ project which is shortlisted for Breastfeeding Initiative of the Year. 

The hospital’s lactation consultants Carmen Murphy, Helen Byrt, and Sheena Kelly, established the Lactation Station in 2024.

The service is available every weekday morning and enables staff to spend more time with women who want more breastfeeding support, and facilitates mothers in giving and receiving peer support and community. 

Another Limerick interest in the awards this year is Aoife Prendergast of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), who is in the running for Breastfeeding Advocate of the Year 2025 for the second year running. 

Aoife is dedicated to promoting and supporting breastfeeding rights within the education sector, and her efforts have resulted in a more supportive environment for breastfeeding lecturers and teachers within the TUI membership. 

READ MORE: New UL initiative to raise awareness of students with caring responsibilities

Limerick is also represented on the judging panel for the prestigious awards by Ballina-Killaloe Friends of Breastfeeding Mum2Mum Group organiser Lucy Murphy. 

A Parteen native, Lucy has run the peer breastfeeding support group for almost nine years, meeting fortnightly in the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe and in Boher Parish Hall.

These heroes of breastfeeding support in Ireland will be recognised at a gala awards ceremony in Tullamore on March 29.

Over 1,300 nominations were submitted from the public for passionate breastfeeding advocates and initiatives.

CEO of Friends of Breastfeeding, Dr. Edel Quirke BL, said that “the Friends of Breastfeeding Awards are a truly special opportunity to celebrate all of the positive things happening in the breastfeeding promotion and support space in Ireland, and to recognise and reward all of the many unsung individuals, businesses and groups going above and beyond to ensure breastfeeding is valued, welcomed, and supported.”