PICTURES: Local Tipperary town announces its Person of the Year for 2026

Marie Devitt, Carron, Cashel, is the Cashel Person of the Year 2026.

On Thursday, March 12, in Halla na Féile, Marie was formally announced as the proud recipient of the prestigious award at a large gathering of family, friends, neighbours and colleagues from a range of community organisations.

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The Cashel Person of the Year is organised annually by Cashel Lions Club and Marie is the 41st recipient of the award since its inception in 1987.

Cashel Lions Club President, Monica Slattery welcomed Marie and her guests and was the first to congratulate Marie on her selection as Cashel Person of the Year.

Pat Cummins formally proposed Marie for Cashel Person of the Year.

In a wide ranging address he outlined the contribution of Marie to a range of community organisations, including, Rosegreen Development Association, Rosegreen Tidy Towns, Rosegreen National School, St Thomas the Apostle Church in Rosegreen, Cashel Day Care Centre and Cahir Golf Club.

He highlighted the pivotal role that Marie plays in her local community and stated that, ‘without people like Marie in our community we would not be able to function’.

Maura Moloney, Principal of Rosegreen National School, stated that, ‘Marie is the essence of what community is all about’.

Maura outlined how generous Marie is with her time and how effective she is as the voluntary chairperson of the school’s Board of Management.

In a personal and very moving tribute to Marie, Maura went on to highlight that Marie is, ‘a wonderful neighbour to the people in her locality and a gently unassuming presence in times of need’.

The Cahir Park Golf Club Captain, Paul Murray, detailed the Trojan work that Marie has done for the club in her role as Ladies Captain, Club President, two terms as Club Secretary and also as Secretary to the Junior Committee.

A number of speakers from community organisations and local councillors acknowledged the enormous contribution that Marie makes to the quality of life in her local community and all were in agreement that ‘the world needs more people like Marie Devitt’.

In his formal declaration of Marie as Cashel Person of the Year 2026, Eddie Morrissey highlighted the range of organisations that nominated Marie and the ‘hands on’ and totally committed nature of Marie’s involvement in the community.

He remarked that her involvement extended to both parts of the parish of Cashel and Rosegreen and such was Marie’s commitment to volunteerism that her contribution to her community stretched as far as Cahir.

Eddie also highlighted the fact that five recent recipients of the award come from Rosegreen and that this is a reflection of the vibrant community spirit in the thriving village of Rosegreen.

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In accepting the award, Marie thanked Cashel Lions Club for selecting her for the award.

Marie thanked her nominators and the various speakers for their kind words.

With great humility she stated that she enjoyed being a member of many great community organisations and pointed out that the success and impact of these organisations is due to the collective energy and community spirit within these groups.

Marie outlined the satisfaction and joy she gets from working with so many great people for the benefit of the local community.

A wonderful night of celebration concluded with a presentation to Tom Wood, the Cashel Person of the Year 2025.

A buzz of excitement and appreciation filled the air as Marie and her guests chatted and enjoyed the light refreshments and the deserved recognition of Marie Devitt as a most deserving Cashel Person of the Year 2026.

Pictured above: Eddie Morrissey, Monica Slattery ( Cashel Lions Club President), Marie Devitt ( Cashel Person of the Year 2026), and Marie Gayson.