Pictured is Athlone IWA member Sarah Malone, a proud recipient of the Gaisce Gold Award from President Catherine Connolly at a ceremony in Royal Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin. Belmont's Sarah honourd with gold at Gaisce awardsThe Athlone branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association was celebrating last week (Monday, December 15) when young member Sarah Malone, from Belmont, was the proud recipient of the Gaisce Gold Award from President Catherine Connolly at a ceremony in Royal Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin. Sarah, aged 24 and a long-time member of the Athlone IWA, was among 50 young people celebrated at the event for their personal development and community impact. Sarah, whose parents are Martina and Ken Malone, said after the awards: “Completing my Gaisce Gold Award has been a deeply meaningful journey. Sarah began her journey with Athlone IWA as a nine year-old and remains very much a popular figure at the centre as part of the School Leavers' Project.

Source: Irish Independent December 23, 2025 12:05 UTC