Queensland Irish Association Vice-President Séamus Sullivan is to receive Ireland’s Presidential Distinguished Service Award for his support for the Irish community in Australia.
The Awards will be presented by President Michael D. Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, in the coming months.
Séamus is one of 13 winners of this year’s awards and is the only one from the Irish diaspora in Australia.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, this week announced the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.
The Tánaiste said: “This award recognises the exceptional achievements, contributions, and service of members of our diaspora in all its forms. Each of the 13 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 TD, 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.”
Séamus was nominated chiefly by a small cohort of close friends, most of whom also volunteer for Queensland Irish Association (QIA).
QIA Public Relations Officer Mary Allen said: “All of us in the QIA are incredibly proud of Séamus. He is an absolute legend, an affable and gentle man, and a determined man. Brisbane’s vibrant Irish community culture is in a huge part thanks to Séamus. Nobody is more dedicated to the Irish community, nobody works harder and nobody is more deserving of this recognition. It’s been his life’s work. And the funny thing is, he’s so modest, he will be mortified at all the fuss. He has never been in it for the glory. He just sees that work needs to be done, and he gets on with it.”
Séamus was born in Tipperary in 1942 and emigrated first to England and then to Australia in 1972. He has been an integral part of the growth and development of the Irish community in Queensland ever since.
He co-founded Queensland Gaelic Football and Hurling Association and was President of the Australasian Gaelic Athletic Association for 40 years.
He has also spent time as President of the Queensland Irish Association, where he currently serves as Vice-President.
He co-founded, is a former President and current committee member of Brisbane Irish Festival, who organise the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Brisbane.
Séamus was one also of the founding members of Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland, which provides outreach and support to the Irish community in Queensland.
Forever active within the community, Séamus spends most days volunteering at the Gaelic games grounds in Brisbane, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding this year. He put huge effort into saving the clubhouse and grounds after devastating floods in 2011 and again in 2022. Despite the fields and clubhouse being ravaged, games recommenced within months on both occasions.
Séamus was recognised by Brisbane City Council in 2020 with a Citizen of the Year award. This not only recognised his work for the Irish community but also for his “willingness to help anyone who approaches him for assistance” and he “continuously offers his support to Brisbane residents facing difficult situations, such as alcohol and substance abuse, death of loved ones or domestic violence”.
Séamus has given his life to serving the Irish diaspora. He is a worthy recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Services Award.
Irish Queenslander 