Donegal's Manus O'Donnell honoured with prestigious Pat Trainor award
Lifetime dedication to Gaelic Games recognised amongst Ireland's educators at the Cumann na mBunscol National Awards
Donegal was well represented at the Cumann na mBunscol National Awards at the weekend in Mullingar with Donegal man Manus O’Donnell taking home the prestigious Pat Trainor Award for lifetime service in the promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture.
Over 250 teachers from all parts of Ireland gathered in Mullingar on Friday night to recognise excellence in the promotion of Gaelic Games in primary schools.
The night itself gives recognition to the work of teachers on and off the playing field. The Awards cover a myriad of activities from Public Relations to the Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture and also the work of individual schools, large and small.
Former Westmeath footballer and two-time All-Star John Keane was the guest speaker on the night.
The Hall of Fame award, also known as the Pat Trainor award went to O’Donnell who has given over half a century of dedicated commitment to promotion of Gaelic Games in his native county.
The Donegal man is Secretary of Cumann na mBunscol Ulster and a number of his former pupils including Nora Stapleton, former rugby international, and Georgie Kelly, a professional footballer with Rotherham United were in attendance on the night.
O’Donnell becomes the first Donegal man to win this award since its inception.