Presidential Distinguished Service Awards
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad is presented by the President every year.
It recognises the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland.
On this page you'll find:
The 2024 Awards
The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad recognises the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland.
The 2024 Awards will take place in January 2025.
In order to be eligible for consideration, nominees must be habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and satisfy one of the following requirements:
- Have rendered distinguished service to the nation and/or its reputation abroad;
- Have actively and demonstrably contributed to Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad in at least one of the categories listed above;
- Have a track record of sustained support and engagement with Ireland and/or its international reputation and/or Irish communities abroad over a period of not less than 5 year; or
- Have made a sustained and distinguished service on a global or international issue of importance.
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad was established by the government in 2012, and to date 120 people have been conferred with the award.
2024 Recipients
Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman is the captain for both the Irish national football team and Everton Football Club. He is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Aduke Gomez
Aduke Gomez is an Irish-Nigerian dual national, interested in exploring the connections between Irish and Nigerian writing, and is the editor of two poetry collections commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria. She is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Rosalind Scanlon
Rosalind Scanlon is the founding Artistic Director of the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. She is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Prof. Enrico Terrinoni
Prof. Enrico Terrinoni is Professor in Residence at the Italian National Academy “Lincei” and Chair of English Literature at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. He is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Orla Kiely
Orla Kiely is an Irish fashion designer based in London. She is being awarded in the category of Business and Economic Development.
Sr. Teresa McKeon
Sr. Teresa McKeon has been working in education in Sierra Leone for 70 years. She is being awarded in the category of Charitable Works and Advocacy.
Mary L. O'Neill
Mary L. O'Neill is an attorney and the managing partner at O'Neill, Huxtable & Abelson APC in Los Angeles, CA. She is being awarded in the category of Inclusion and Equality.
Pam O'Mahoney
Pam O’Mahoney is a well-known figure amongst the Irish community in Sydney, where she is involved in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Organisation, the Sydney Rose of Tralee and ‘Ireland Calling’ Radio. She is being awarded in the category of Irish Community Support.
Senator Patrick Leahy
Senator Patrick J. Leahy is a former US Senator for Vermont, who retired in January 2023 after 48 years of service. He spent much of his career as a leading proponent of funding the International Fund for Ireland. He is being awarded in the category of Peace, Reconciliation, and Development.
Stella O'Leary
Stella O’Leary is the US Observer to the International Fund for Ireland. She is being awarded in the category of Peace, Reconciliation, and Development.
Valuable contribution
The scheme is primarily aimed at Irish citizens, those entitled to Irish citizenship, and persons of Irish descent, but is open to all people living abroad.
The hard work, energy and dedication of nominees makes a valuable contribution to people’s lives and is deserving of our gratitude, recognition and respect.
Nomination process
Who can be nominated?
Who decides on the nominations?
How to nominate someone
The award
Galleries of previous years
2023 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards
2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards
Please note that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is covered by the Freedom of Information Act (2014).