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Donegal honours for wealthy
emigrant
17.01.12
by Linda McGrory
THE Donegal Association has parted with tradition by
honouring two people with the title of Donegal
Person of the Year 2011.
Multi-millionaire New Zealand-based entrepreneur,
Hugh Green, will share the honours this year with
long-distance swimmer, Anne Marie Ward. |
Mr Green (80) emigrated
to the southern hemisphere in 1950 where he worked
as a cattle drover before building up a large
fortune in a range of sectors including construction
and property.
He has been a regular visitor to his native Raphoe,
Co Donegal, over the years and has been benefactor
to many charitable causes through his Hugh Green
Charitable Trust. The trust has donated millions
over the years to medical research, hospices and
charities helping the poor. |
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Hugh Green. |
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He donated 200,000 euro
last year to a special training academy at
Letterkenny General Hospital. |
Ms Ward from
Portnablagh made history in 2010 when she became the
first Irish woman to swim the north channel between
Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A disability services manager with the HSE, the 45
year old was named World Open Water Swimming Woman
of the Year 2010 at a function in New York.
Mr Green and Ms Ward were announced as recipients of
the honour at a function tonight in Dublin's
Harcourt Hotel. |
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Anne Marie Ward. |
The awards will
officially be presented to them at a gala dinner in
March.
Donegal Association assistant PRO, Liam McDermott,
said both recipients were "very worthy" of the
honour.
"Hugh Green deserves this recognition for his many
great achievements and because he has given so much
back to Donegal," said Mr McDermott.
"Irish sportswomen don't get the recognition they
deserve. Anne Marie Ward is not only a great
ambassador for sport in Donegal but for Irish sport
generally."
Last year's Donegal Person of the Year was
playwright Brian Friel while previous recipients
have included Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan and
former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, Packie
Bonner. |
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