Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan was born in Coventry and grew up in Coventry UK and Summerhill, D 1.
Katriona has recently published her debut novel “Poor” which details her struggles growing up in Dublin’s Inner city. She won at the An Post Book award and recently appeared on the Late Late Show. We are thrilled to have Katriona involved in our festival.
Fionnuala Halpin is a local artist working on murals and events. She often collaborates with community groups and a lot of her work can be seen around the area. She is one of the original founders of Mud Island Community Garden, helping transform it from a waste ground into a vibrant amenity.
Ann Creaner is newly retired from the role of principal at St Columba's National School, North Strand. Ann taught in a wide variety of schools in the North Dublin area over her 33 years of service to education.
Ann-Marie Morrison has been a carer for her parents and brother in the North Strand. She is a dedicated family person and well-known locally for her generous and caring spirit.
Olive Grace RIP. Olive was always known in the area for being a lady, a kind, considerate and generous woman. Olive was always involved with community work and set up the original CAA Clonlife Avenue Association which organised family days and clean ups of the area in the 1970’s.
Christine Corry is a former volunteer with the local William Street Credit Union and even still is a St Francis Hospice supporter and volunteer/fundraiser.
Paula Meehan is a well-known poet from the North Inner City. In 2013, Meehan was installed as
the Ireland Professor of Poetry by President Michael D. Higgins. In 2023 she was elected an honorary fellow of Trinity College Dublin. She had recently published her latest book of poetry called ‘The Solice of Artemis’. Paula has fond memories of the North East Inner City, and says it was where she learned the language used all her life in her writing.
Marie Gorman has been a volunteer in the community for over 40. She has won a Lord Mayor of Dublin Volunteer Aware to celebrate her 40 years, and we fully expect her to get to the 50. She organised day trips for older residents of the area and brings people out on day trips. She has been cleaning the church and works with Meals on Wheels and local craft clubs.
Joan McCormack was nominated online several times for this recognition. Joan grew up in Mary’s Mansions but came to the North Inner City when her children were young. She worked in the community with Tony Gregory. While working in the Rotunda for many years she organised the collection and sending of goods and clothes to Bosnia during the struggles there.
Connie Whelan was born in 1934 in Railway Street, then moved to Moland Cottages off Corporation Street. She attended Rutland Street School. She visits the inner city regularly including attending Mass in Sean Mac Dermott Street church and visiting old neighbours and friends. She is so proud of her links with the inner city and where she comes from. She as 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren.
Bernie Pierce volunteers at the Lourdes Day Centre and was born and reared in Summer Street off the North Circular Road. Founded in 1979 by a group of local people, the Lourdes Day Care Centre was created to serve as a social centre, providing a place for older people to meet and enjoy a hot meal. Bernie is the heart and soul of the centre, and loved by all.
Mary Hynes volunteers in St Agathas School, William St, making the breakfast for the kids and also washes and brings in clean clothes. During Covid, they delivered sandwiches to the children at home. To do this work, Mary gets up very early each week morning so that everything is prepared by the time the children reach the school.