Dunmore man Joe is honoured as Lucan’s Community Volunteer of the Year

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN A DUNMORE native has been honoured with the Community Volunteer of the Year Award. Joe Byrne has lived in Lucan for more than 40 years, but his brother Tom still lives in Dunmore and his other brother Jim lives in Tuam. Joe has lived with his wife Margaret and family in Lucan since 1975. He was nominated for the Local Authority Members Award (LAMA) in honour of his 40 years of community activity with Lucan Sarsfields, Liffey Sound FM, Lucan Planning Council and Liffey Valley Park Alliance. Joe and the other shortlisted nominees attended the awards ceremony in Dublin recently, where Joe was shocked but delighted to be announced as the winner in his category. He was presented with the award by Environment Minister Phil Hogan and RTÉâ€â„¢s Miriam Oâ€â„¢Callaghan. Cllr William Lavelle of South Dublin Co Council, who nominated Joe, described him as â€Å“a true champion of the communityâ€Â. Some years ago, Joe established a hardware business in Dunmore with his brother Jim and managed to be part of the store while still living in Dublin. When he lived in Dunmore he was very involved in the community council and the annual festival and always enjoyed being part of local happenings. Joe, who is now retired, says his voluntary and community work gives him great satisfaction. â€Å“I was absolutely delighted. I never expected it. I was surprised when I was nominated, was gobsmacked when I was shortlisted and couldnâ€â„¢t believe it when I won. â€Å“I donâ€â„¢t do these things to get awards. â€Å“I do it because I enjoy doing it, but it is nice to get the recognition,â€Â Joe told The Tuam Herald.