Win lift’s Stan’s spirits

Cathaoirleach Awards 2024

Since he was announced as the overall winner at the Cathaoirleach Awards 2024, Stan McCormack has enjoyed a brilliant response in his home town.

“People were really very good, waving to me in Kilbeggan, calling to me, waving from cars, meeting on the street, phone calls – even the parish priest announced it, and there have been complimentary comments online.”

The win gave him “new energy”, said Stan. “I am going for one more book with the aim that it will be all the about the good things in Kilbeggan, the great schools, business, sports clubs, and also people from abroad. The aim is to lift the spirit of people and remember all the good things. I am having memory problems (age 73), I want to have a go.

“The Cathaoirleach Awards triggered some of this and therefore was a benefit for me and hopefully for Kilbeggan.”

Stan received a standing ovation on the night of the awards, and he admits now that he was not in the best of form and a bit distracted following the loss of his friend Paddy Dunican, RIP. “I didn’t expect to win it and it was a shock as everyone rose up and clapped. I was a friend of Paddy Dunican for over 30 years – he came to us at Christmas each year – and I was the last person to talk to him. In that sense, I wasn’t in good form initially at the event, but it did lift my spirits and it was an enjoyable night.”

Cllr Liam McDaniel put Stan forward for consideration at the Cathaoirleach Awards 2024 to acknowledge his achievements and contribution to Kilbeggan over several decades. Highlights include the six books he has written; an internet-based walking tour he designed; funds raised for the hospice; he organised and ran a local festival for five years; was assistant secretary at Kilbeggan Racecourse for more than 20 years; and curated the Kilbeggan Past and Present Facebook page, which has more than 3,000 members, including in the USA and Australia.