Spirit of Ireland Award 2004
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Spirit of Ireland

Suzanne O’Connell – Winner of 2004 Spirit of Ireland Award

The Spirit of Ireland Award had been presented over the years to 'HONOURING IRISH PEOPLE WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS'. 

Suzanne O'Connell - the winner of 2004 Spirit of Ireland Award

It had been in recognition of the outstanding courage, kindness and bravery of Irish citizens who had displayed great faith, hope and love, enlivened by infectious cheerfulness, in the very best Irish spirit, and had clearly demonstrated those virtues through consistent dedication and action on behalf of many others.

Over the years of the Spirit of Ireland award more than 36 fantastic finalists had raised a whopping €25 million for good causes. 
 
Suzanne O’Connell, the founder and CEO of Outreach Moldova was the winner of the 2004 OneLife/Irish News of the World Spirit of Ireland Award. 

Suzanne O'Connell - the winner of 2004 Spirit of Ireland Award

She was presented with her prize, a €26 000 Fiat Multipla, by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Spirit chairman David Ryan at a glittering ceremony in Dublin on 18th Nov 2004. But far from speeding off in the stunning €26 000 car, she didn’t even bother to sit in. Instead, in the true Spirit of Ireland, she immediately offered it up to raise cash for the 2 orphanages (an orphanage for children with special needs in Hincesti and a baby orphanage in Chisinau, Moldova) that earned her the top award. ‘We have a new orphanage for babies. The money from the car will pay for heating a kitchen by Christmas’, Suzie said.

ORM’s faithful volunteer Mercy Fleming who nominated Suzie won the nominator’s prize of a holiday worth €3 000 from Abbey Travel to Disney Resort Paris.

Suzanne O'Connell - the winner of 2004 Spirit of Ireland Award

The president of Ireland Mary McAleese hosted a special reception for the finalists at Aras an Uachtaráin where she hailed the 2004 Spirit of Ireland heroes as an inspiration for young people. She told the champs, their nominators, families and friends that ‘It’s very important to recognize people and say well done. Life has gotten very busy, a lot more people are even bluster than before but the more you give of yourself the more you get back’ (Busiernot Bluster).
 
OneLife Spirit of Ireland chairman David Ryan explained the thinking behind the project – ‘We wanted our leaders in government to stand up and create a citizen’s award for outstanding contribution’. ‘Today, as we liberate ourselves from poverty, there is a duty to put our hands out and help others’.
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