Limerick woman who sets the ‘gold standard for caregiving’ named best in Munster

A LIMERICK caregiver described as a “good friend” who brightens up her clients' days has been crowned Dovida Munster Caregiver of the Year 2025. 

Mary Kenihan received the prestigious award at a recent ceremony to celebrate 20 years of providing exceptional care in Ireland, following the home care organisation’s rebrand from Home Instead earlier this year. 

Mary, who lives in Ballyneety but is originally from Limerick city, has worked for Dovida for almost two years. She was nominated for the award by clients and colleagues from Dovida’s Limerick and Clare office. 

Dovida provides person-centred home care to over 8,000 people across Ireland. 

Having won the local Caregiver of the Year Award, Mary was put forward for the regional and national competition where she scooped the Munster Caregiver of the Year 2025 Award.  

“It was very emotional to hear what my clients said about me,” Mary said. 

READ ALSO: Leaders of Limerick's newest school attend major event

“You don’t realise the difference you make to them until you hear it back. Just receiving the local award was brilliant for me, so to get the Munster one was amazing. 

“I wasn’t expecting it, because I feel that all the caregivers deserve it,” she added.  

Competition judge and broadcaster Mary Kennedy said it was clear from the nominations that Mary Kenihan was a real comfort to both her clients and their family members. 

“The testimonies from the family members of Mary’s clients made a real impact on me,” Mary Kennedy said. 

“It’s clear that she cares deeply for her clients and treats everyone she meets with compassion and respect. I was particularly impressed by Mary’s willingness to go above and beyond for her clients, in one instance even paying a visit on her own time to a client who was in hospital. 

“It's stories like these that really brighten up my day, just like Mary does to all of her clients,” she added.

READ ALSO: New state-of-the-art cancer care centre confirmed for Limerick

Client voices 

“Mary is a very hard worker and a great carer, I always feel comfortable and looked after when she’s around. I wouldn’t be able to live at home without her help around the house,” Kathleen O’Connell, one of Mary’s clients, said. 

“Over the last few years, my favourite thing about her is how good a friend she has become to me, and I love having her around.”

Maureen Murnane, the daughter of Mary’s client Theresa, said: “Mary has been a fantastic carer to my mother, who suffers from dementia. From the day she walked into the house, she has been like an extension of the family.

“She has been at all times caring, considerate, and a real comfort to mam. Mam sees her as an old friend, dropping in for a quick chat, and loves to see her coming in the door. They play cards, paint, make puzzles, and she has rekindled my mother's love of baking. It is really heartening to see my mother's face light up with joy again when Mary is around.”  

READ ALSO: Hundreds of Limerick households impacted as Uisce Éireann shuts down water treatment plant

Above and beyond

Brian O’Sullivan, general manager of Dovida Limerick and Clare, said they’d be lost without Mary and that she sets the gold standard for her profession. 

“We’re so lucky to have Mary as part of our team here in Limerick and Clare. We appreciate everything she does for us and for her clients, and we’d be lost without her,” he said. 

“Mary sets the gold standard for caregiving, she consistently delivers excellent care to all her clients and often goes above and beyond what is expected of her. This is clear in how she makes people feel and the feedback we get from her client’s family members,” he added.