Ireland football legend Charlie O’Leary honoured for contribution to Dublin
Ireland football legend Charlie O’Leary was one of nine local heroes recognised for their outstanding contribution to Dublin city and its people.
The Lord Mayor’s Awards took place in the Mansion House over the weekend and saw Charlie and his fellow unsung Dublin heroes recognised for going the extra mile for their community. On Saturday, Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam presented the recipients with their awards.
Charlie was the kitman to the Boys in Green and Jack Charlton in that glorious summer of Italia ’90 when Ireland took its place on the world stage and the nation celebrated like never before or since. At an impressive 102 years old, Charlie's life is intrinsically tied to the fabric of Irish football.
Whether through activism, art, or activities, since 1989, the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Award has seen Dubliners nominate the people they believed deserve to be honoured. Over 1,200 people shared stories of those who have made a positive impact on the city and actively improved the lives of others.
The recipients of the Lord Mayor’s Awards for 2026 are:
Speaking about the awards, Lord Mayor McAdam said they are “about celebrating the Dubliners who show us what citizenship looks like at its very best”. “Not in grand gestures, but in daily acts of service. In showing up. In giving back,” he said.
“In lifting others. Each of this year’s recipients has strengthened our city in their own way, through sport, through culture, through inclusion, through community and through care. They remind us that Dublin is not made great by buildings alone, or by history alone, but by its people, by their generosity, by their courage and by their belief in one another. That is the spirit of Celebrating Dublin , and that is the spirit we honour this evening,” he said.
Growing up in the East Wall, Charlie helped to establish the famous street leagues during the 1950s, where several future stars of the game started out including Johnny Giles, Liam Touhy, Tony Dunne, Liam Brady and Noel Payton. The idea of representing the street you lived on in a league was so popular it spread to other cities. He served as a referee, taking the whistle at the 1972 FAI Cup final and gave decades of service to the Leinster Football League.
Cian Hall Quinn is a remarkable man and poet who shows his courage and strength throughout his journey with autism. Cian was nominated for his powerful advocacy for younger people with autism, and for the remarkable creativity he has shown through his poetry. Cian has been involved with Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club for many years and with many teams, among them the All Stars team that provides opportunities for children with additional needs to participate in GAA training which is adapted to suit their needs.
Eileen McHugh is the founder and CEO of Hair Together, an award-winning social enterprise transforming lives across Dublin through creativity, compassion, and opportunity Established in 2019, Hair Together delivers innovative training programmes in hairdressing and barbering for young people from challenging backgrounds and women rebuilding their lives following involvement with the justice system. Her programmes combine practical, industry- level skills with wraparound wellbeing and personal development supports, enabling participants to build confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
Sheriff Youth Club, a football club based in Dublin’s North Inner City, has a strong community of over 200 members with players as young as three-and-a-half through to adults. Grace is at the centre of the Club, volunteering her time, organising matches, arranging equipment, posting on social media, checking in with club members, advocating for vulnerable club members, including everyone and removing barriers to participation.
The Foundation was created to address the significant emotional and psychological challenges faced by bereaved children and their families and was borne out of the Moylan family’s personal experience after Stephen’s death in 2019. The Foundation honours Stephen Moylan’s legacy by providing hope, healing and practical support to children and young people facing the profound loss of a parent. Based in Dublin and operating across Ireland, the Foundation provides access to professional bereavement counselling and therapy for children and young people aged five to 18.
Formerly the Dublin City Council Historian in Residence for the Liberties area of Dublin, Catherine Scuffil’s font of knowledge connects people with place, what and who came before by discovering their own history and bringing it to life. A passionate historian, Catherine’s focus is the culture, history and traditions of Dublin 8 and helping people relate to the buildings, communities and streets in the area, building pride in the place where they live.
Johnny Watson is beloved for his kindness and is central to the Shelbourne Football Club community as well as being the long-time Head of Equipment. He follows in the footsteps of his father, John Watson Senior, who would wash the team’s kit in the family bathtub when Johnny was growing up in Ringsend. For over 50 years, he has been with the team through wins, losses, demotions and promotions. Rain or shine, he shows up to support the club including raising money for good causes, supporting young players and nurturing the club’s community.
Founded during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Inner City Running Club had a powerful aim-to create a positive outlet for their community. Today, it is a thriving movement with over 200 members. ICRC is about more than running. It is an inclusive space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are welcomed. This spirit is evident in moments such as the club coming together to support young members like Cobey, who has cerebral palsy, to take part in the Dublin Marathon. Inner City Running Club represents the very best of Dublin, bringing people together, changing lives, and continuing to grow as a powerful, positive force at the heart of its community.
Marie O’Reilly has been a volunteer for over 40 years. Through her roles with East Wall Youth and the Career LEAP Programme, Marie has helped countless young people. East Wall Youth serves over 200 families and many of these young people are at critical stages in their teenage years where the next step they take can shape the rest of their lives. Marie is also a founding member of the Career LEAP Programme, the youth employment training partnership between East Wall Youth, SWAN Youth Services and Trinity College. This programme has been life changing for so many young people. Simply put, Marie shows up, she brings people with her and gets the work done.
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