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 process is open with nominations closing Friday 10 May 2024.
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.
Nominations can be made by any member of the public and should be submitted through the Embassy of Ireland in the country of residence of the nominee or the Embassy of Ireland which is accredited to that country.
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.
2023 Recipients
Aidan Connolly
Aidan Connolly serves as Executive Director of the Irish Arts Center in New York. He is awarded jointly with Pauline Turley, Vice Chair of the Irish Arts Center in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Pauline Turley
Pauline Turley serves as Vice Chair of the Irish Arts Center in New York. She is being jointly awarded with Aidan Connolly, Executive Director of the Irish Arts Center in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Dr. Beatriz Kopschitz Xavier Bastos
Dr. Beatriz Kopschitz Xavier Bastos is co-founder and vice-coordinator of Núcleo de Estudos Irlandeses, at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil. She is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Philip Treacy
Philip Treacy is the world's most in-demand hat designer. He is being awarded in the category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Dr. (h.c.) Fritz Senn
Dr. (h.c.) Fritz Senn is an accomplished scholar of the works of James Joyce. He is being awarded in the Category of Arts, Culture, and Sport.
Dr. Howard Keeley
Dr. Howard Keeley directs the Center for Irish Research and Teaching at Georgia Southern University and cofounded TradeBridge, a partnership which fosters trade and investment between the Savannah region and Southeast Ireland. He is being awarded in the category of Business and Economic Development.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher K.C.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher K.C. is a barrister and human rights lawyer who has acted in many landmark cases in the UK, before the European Court of Human Rights and international tribunals. She is being awarded in the category of Charitable Works and Advocacy.
Dr. Stanley Quek
Dr. Stanley Quek is the Chairman of the Ireland Funds Singapore which has raised more than S$6m since 2009 to support projects involving children with special needs and eldercare. He is being awarded in the category of Charitable Works and Advocacy.
Dr Patricia Mary Lewis
Dr Patricia Mary Lewis is the Research Director for International Security at Chatham House. She is being awarded in the category of Education, Science, and Innovation.
Ms. Maria Doyle
Ms. Maria Doyle started life as a Magdalene Baby, received little formal education and from the age of nine had to cope with sudden blindness. She is being awarded in the category of Inclusion and Equality.
Ms. Sinéad El Sibai
Ms. Sinéad El Sibai is a well-known figure amongst the Irish community in Dubai and her achievements have been instrumental in fostering dialogue, raising awareness, and promoting Ireland in the Middle East. She is being awarded in the category of Irish Community Support.
Mr. Seamus Sullivan
Mr. Seamus Sullivan has contributed to the Irish Australian community in many different ways over the past 50 years, including assisting those in personal crisis, and promoting and sharing Irish culture in Brisbane, Queensland, and Australia. He is being awarded in the category of Irish Community Support.
Fr. Gabriel Dolan
Fr. Gabriel Dolan is the Executive director of the human rights organisation Haki Yetu (Our Rights) in Mombasa, Kenya and is committed to the promotion of human rights and social justice for a cohesive society. He 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 is covered by the Freedom of Information Act (2014).