Tipp Association announces winners
The Tipperary Association Dublin has announced two North Tipp men as its 2017 award-winners.
Denis Floyd, Chairman of Birdhill Tidy Village Committee, has been named Tipperary Person of the Year for 2017, while Denis Ryan of Newport and Canada, a member of Ryan’s Fancy Folk Group, will be inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame. The awards will be presented at a function in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin, on Friday February 23rd.
Denis Floyd's award is a recognition of his role in Birdhill being named as the prestigious winners of the National Tidy Town of the Year. It is also recognition – at the highest level – of the work of the Birdhill Tidy Village Committee members and the wider Birdhill community. Significantly, it is a timely recognition of the importance and benefits of volunteerism and community spirit at work.
“If any one person deserved to be honoured for his commitment to his local community, his dedication and leadership and his unceasing hard work on behalf of Birdhill and, by extension, County Tipperary, then Denis Floyd is surely a most deserving choice,” said Liam Myles, President of the Tipp Association.
Far from a “single trick pony”, while principal of Burgess National School, Mr Floyd cultured and promoted a community spirit, publishing a book on the history of the area. He has and continues to play a huge role in the GAA and he was co-author of a book about the history of Newport GAA, titled 'By the Mulcair Banks'.
His namesake and Newport native Denis Ryan will inducted into the Tipp Association Hall of Fame to mark his lifetime contribution to and achievement in the field of Irish folk and culture – both at home and abroad. Member of the local Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann branch from an early age, Mr Ryan was invited to perform in Newfoundland where he immersed himself in their music and culture. Here he formed the group Ryan’s Fancy, who performed and travelled extensively in Canada and Ireland.
Mr Ryan has appeared in over 200 television shows in Ireland, the USA and Canada. Not forgetting his native home, he included songs like 'Newport Town' and 'Mulcair River' in his repertoire. He has performed for former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, US President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth.
Later moving to Halifax, the Newport native set up an investment management business and became involved in many community projects. He also founded Nova Scotian Crystal – Canada’s only hand cut mouth-blown crystal. He has brought many Canadian music and folk groups to Ireland over the years in an effort to promote his country and Irish music and culture.
Mr Myles said the Tipp Association is delighted to announce Denis Ryan as the winner of the Hall of Fame Award for 2017 for his lifetime contribution to and promotion of Irish music, culture and business.
Tickets (€40 each) for the upcoming awards ceremony are available from Pat Ryan, 11 Foxfield Grove, Raheny, Dublin 5. Contact 087-6376663 / email: psoriain@eircom.net