Tipp man up for community award
Writer, musician and mental health advocate
Tipperary writer, poet, musician and mental health advocate Cathal O’Reilly has been selected as a finalist for the Impact in the Community Category at the Mental Health Awards Ireland 2026.
The Impact in the Community Award recognises those who have made a difference in the lives of their community members and honours services that have gone above and beyond to enhance the overall wellbeing of others.
The nomination recognises Cathal’s work over almost a decade using writing, poetry, music, storytelling and public speaking to encourage open and accessible conversations around mental health.
Cathal, who hails from Clonmel, published A Funny Thing About Depression in 2017, using honesty and humour to explore his own experiences and approach a subject that can often be difficult to discuss.
In 2019, he followed this with the poetry collection Catching the Thought, published in aid of C-Saw mental health charity, combining creativity with fundraising and mental health awareness.
Alongside his writing, Cathal’s work as a musician and spoken-word performer has provided another way to connect with audiences. Through music, poetry and storytelling, he has continued to explore themes of mental health, connection and the shared experiences that bring people together.
More recently, Cathal had the privilege of speaking alongside the former President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, at the Samaritans Ireland National Conference, bringing his experiences and perspective to a national audience.
CREATIVE WORK
His creative work has also featured across a range of arts and cultural programmes, including appearances at the Inishbofin Arts Festival, Croílár Music and Arts Festival and Seanchóicthe storytelling evening.
Cathal is also due to appear at the upcoming Clifden Arts Festival, continuing to bring together music, writing and spoken word as a means of connecting with audiences and creating opportunities for conversations around mental health.
Speaking about being selected as a finalist, Cathal said: “I’m hugely grateful to be recognised, but for me this is about much more than one person. It highlights the importance of community, connection and creating spaces where people can speak honestly about mental health and feel listened to. Writing, music and storytelling can open doors to conversations that we might otherwise find difficult to have.
“Sometimes a poem, a song or a shared story can connect with somebody in a way that an ordinary conversation can’t. There are so many people and organisations doing extraordinary work in communities throughout Tipperary and across Ireland. To be included alongside people making that kind of difference is a real honour.”
From writing about depression with humour to poetry, music, fundraising, storytelling and public speaking, a consistent theme throughout Cathal’s work has been the belief that creativity and honest conversations can help people feel less isolated in their experiences.
Cathal added: “If something I’ve written, played or said over the years has helped somebody feel understood, start a conversation or realise that they aren’t alone, then that is what matters most.”
The Tipp native will now join finalists from across Ireland at the Mental Health Awards Ireland 2026, recognising those making a positive contribution to mental health and wellbeing in communities around the country.