Louth Civil Defence volunteers were honoured at a special Volunteer Recognition and Medal Presentation Ceremony held on Thursday, 19 February at the Oriel Centre in Dundalk Gaol.
The event formed part of national celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Civil Defence in Ireland and recognised the dedication and service of volunteers who continue to play a vital role in emergency response and community resilience across County Louth.
A total of 22 volunteers received the Civil Defence 75 Year Commemorative Medal on the night. They join a further 20 Louth volunteers who were presented with their medals at a national ceremony in Maynooth last year. The ceremony was hosted by Louth Civil Defence Officer Chris Connolly, with medals presented by Chief Executive of Louth County Council, David Conway.
In his address, Mr Conway spoke about the development of Civil Defence since its establishment in 1950 and praised the contribution of volunteers during major events, including the Covid 19 pandemic and Ireland’s humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine.
A special tribute was also paid to Michael Kenny, whose 62 years of service were recognised as an exceptional contribution to both Civil Defence and the wider community.
Following the ceremony, David Conway said:
This event is a reminder of the strength and generosity that define our Civil Defence volunteers. Their dedication, whether during national emergencies, severe weather events, or moments of quiet but vital community support, makes Louth a safer, stronger, and more resilient place. It is a privilege to recognise their service, and I extend my deepest thanks to each volunteer and their families for their continued service and commitment.
