Offaly Live columnist receives 6th Oireachtas Human Rights and Human Dignity Award 

Offaly Live columnist and Self Help Africa’s Ronan Scully was presented with the 6th Oireachtas Human Dignity Award at a ceremony in Leinster House on Thursday.

This Award is presented by the Oireachtas Life & Dignity Group to a person or group whose commitment to the promotion of human dignity is exemplary. Ronan Scully is being honoured for his many years of service to others, both as a volunteer and professionally, in some of the world’s poorest countries, as well as his commitment to youth education and development.  

Since 2010, Ronan has worked with Self Help Africa. Prior to that he spent 18 years as a volunteer and employee with GOAL. Over his career, he has raised millions of euro for various charities committed to human development and famine relief in Africa and Asia. He works regularly with projects in Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and India.

Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly presented the Award this morning at the request of the Oireachtas Life & Dignity Group. “In honouring Ronan Scully, we are also paying tribute to countless Irish people who, since the foundation of the State, have worked to prevent and alleviate human suffering across the world,” Senator Daly said.

Independent Senator Rónán Mullen, who proposed Mr Scully for the Award, described him as “a person of energy, enthusiasm, faith and hope, dedicated to the improving people’s lives in the toughest parts of the world.”

“Ronan Scully is also known for his sporting and cultural contribution,” Senator Mullen added. “He has been Offaly Sportsperson of the Year, was a leader on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation, has authored two books and writes a weekly column for three regional newspapers. In all he does he motivates and helps others to improve their situation by pointing to what is important in life and helping them to reach for that, as he does himself. In that sense Ronan is a ‘renaissance man’,” Mullen said.

The ceremony was attended by members of Mr Scully’s family, representatives of Self Help Africa, as well as members of the Dáil and Seanad. There will be a celebratory dinner this evening in aid of Self Help Africa’s famine prevention work in the Horn of Africa and Kidane Mehret Children’s Homes in Ethiopia. Over 120 people from the world of international development, business, law and politics will attend, as well as Mr Scully’s family and friends.

Previous recipients of the Human Dignity Award were Sr Consilio Fitzgerald of Cuan Mhuire, Barney Curley, founder of Direct Aid For Africa, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow founder of Mary’s Meals, Gina Heraty of Our Little Brothers and Sisters Orphanage in Haiti, and Br Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Day Centre.
Ronan Scully grew up in Clara, Co Offaly, the son of Ricey and Mary Scully. He attended St Francis National School and Árd Scoil Chiaráin Naofa Vocational School in Clara before attending Maynooth University where he qualified in Philosophy/Theology and Arts.

From 1992 until 2010 Ronan worked with GOAL before joining Self Help Africa, for which he now works as Western Regional Representative.

While with GOAL he worked in Calcutta (Kolkata), in India, as well as in Nepal, Ethiopia and Angola. He also spent a number of years working with and supporting Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in their work in Romania, India and Ireland.

Over the years, Ronan has fundraised tirelessly for local and international charities. He was a founding member of Maynooth Charity Cycle which fundraised €2m for Irish children’s charities, as well as the WorldWise Global Schools Development Organisation, managed by Self Help Africa with support from the University of Galway and Maynooth University.

Ronan was sent by Self Help Africa to Ukraine earlier this year to assist the humanitarian situation caused by the Russian invasion in February 2022.

He has received numerous awards for his community, voluntary and humanitarian contribution, most recently an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from University of Galway presented on Monday 28th November 2022.

Ronan was also Offaly Sports Star of the year in 1988. He lives in Galway with his wife Jacqui O’Grady and two daughters, Mia and Sophie.