Tánaiste announces recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award
- Foilsithe: 19 Deireadh Fómhair 2023
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, today announced this year’s recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. The Awards will be presented by President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin in the coming months.
The Tánaiste said:
“This award recognises the exceptional achievements, contributions, and service of members of our diaspora in all its forms. Each of the thirteen awardees has made an outstanding mark in their field of endeavour – across the arts, culture, charitable works, business, education, science, Irish community support, peace and reconciliation, and inclusion and equality. I look forward to meeting them in Ireland when the President presents the awards."
Sean Fleming, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, added:
“Ireland’s global family is distinguished by the calibre of its vision, effort, and engagement. This year has seen awards conferred on people across the continents for an impressive range and depth of endeavour and achievements. Awardees will travel to Dublin to receive the awards and I will be delighted to meet them to hear more about their work.”
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad was established by the government in 2012.
Recipients of the 2023 Presidential Distinguished Service Award
| 2023 PDSA recipients | Category | Location |
| Mr. Aidan Connolly and Ms. Pauline Turley | Arts, Culture, and Sport | USA |
| Dr. Beatriz Kopschitz Bastos | Arts, Culture, and Sport | Brazil |
| Mr. Philip Treacy | Arts, Culture, and Sport | Britain |
| Mr. Fritz Senn | Arts, Culture, and Sport | Switzerland |
| Dr. Howard Keeley | Business and Economic Development | USA |
| Ms. Caoilfhionn Gallagher K.C. | Charitable Works and Advocacy | Britain |
| Dr. Stanley Quek | Charitable Works and Advocacy | Singapore |
| Dr. Patricia Lewis | Education, Science, and Innovation | Britain |
| Ms. Maria Doyle | Inclusion and Equality | France |
| Ms. Sinéad El Sibai | Irish Community Support | UAE |
| Mr. Séamus Sullivan | Irish Community Support | Australia |
| Fr. Gabriel Dolan | Peace, Reconciliation, and Development | Kenya |
Notes
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad is neither an honours system nor does it confer any legal entitlements upon the recipients.
In order to be eligible for consideration, nominees must be habitually resident outside the island of Ireland and are required to satisfy the following additional 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 years
- or have given sustained and distinguished service on a global or international issue of importance
The scheme is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and a High Level Panel was established to make recommendations to Government. This Panel includes: Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Taoiseach; Áras an Uachtaráin and four representatives from the non-government sector.
Nominations were made by Irish communities abroad through Ireland’s network of Diplomatic Missions.