County: Wicklow
Nominee: Lily Kavanagh
Even in her 90th year Lily Kavanagh’s name is synonymous with Wicklow Community
Games. There at its inception she has given unfailing service for 45 years and is grateful to
have been blessed with the opportunity to have worked with so many wonderful people.
Lily was one of a small group that started Community Games in Wicklow in 1972. With no
money and a lot to learn things progressed slowly but with fundraising from céilis and cake
sales, home-made hurdles, hand stitched running vests and medals on credit from O’
Kelly’s jewellers Lily and her friends staged the first Wicklow County Community Games
athletic finals in Bray in the summer of 1973.
Encouraged by the success of their first games they arranged start up meetings throughout
the county to which Lily trekked tirelessly in a big brown Fiat 125. When Lily’s late husband
Robert was asked what time she’d be home, the reply would be ”Not if I was the wisest man
in Ireland could I answer that!”
Lily had clearly struck upon something that resonated through the towns and villages of
Wicklow and as each took up the flag many more sporting and cultural activities were made
available and more and more children were introduced to the excitement of Community
Games (including a young swimmer from Bray, Gary O’Toole). Lily rarely missed a meeting,
a competition, an awards night or indeed an opportunity to fly the Blue and Gold flag of
Wicklow.
Now that she’s slowing down Lily is not always able to travel to evening meetings but all
information is faithfully relayed allowing her to continue to share her experience and
judgement to ensure that decisions made are in line with the values of the Community
Games organisation.
In recognition of the pivotal role she has played in the development and continued success
of the organisation Lily was honoured as Life President of Wicklow Community Games. Lily
is a woman who understands the importance of strong community bonds in maintaining a
healthy happy society. As grandmother and great grandmother to 24 children she also
knows the importance of organisations aimed at the promotion of “mens sana in corpora
sano” in young people. She believes that the challenges they face today means the
structure and support that Community Games offers is more important now than ever.
A truly inspirational lady. Thank you Lily!