Seamus Boland and Professor Humphrey O'ConnorBoland and O'Connor selected for Offaly 'person of the year' and 'unsung hero' awardsThe recently-elected president of a European Union committee, Seamus Boland, and the chairman of Offaly Hospice, Professor Humphrey O'Connor, have been announced as the winners of the 2025 'Offaly person of the year' and 'unsung hero' award respectively. Seamus Boland, from the Island, Ballycumber, was elected the 35th President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) last October and will preside over its 2025–2028 term. Seamus Boland has been a member of the EESC since 2011 and served as president of the committee's civil society organisations’ group from 2020 until now. Previously he was deeply involved in Macra na Feirme and education services for disadvantaged groups in Offaly and neighbouring Westmeath. The recipient of the 2025 'unsung hero of Offaly' award is the chairman of Offaly Hospice, Profesor Humphrey O'Connor.

Source: Irish Independent February 23, 2026 13:18 UTC