Civic Awards 2026 Celebrates Local Heroes at a Night of #CelebratingYOU
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell was delighted to host a memorable evening of recognition and celebration at the Chairperson’s Civic Awards 2026 on Friday 20 February at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch.
The special ceremony, presented by BBC Radio Ulster’s Connor Phillips, brought together nominees, families, community representatives and elected members from across the district to honour the individuals and groups whose dedication, kindness and commitment make a real difference to local communities.
The Civic Awards recognise outstanding contributions across a range of areas including volunteering, community pride, fundraising, arts, culture and heritage, youth leadership and human endeavour. The event followed a highly successful public nominations campaign that encouraged residents to recognise the people who go above and beyond for others.
Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and photography before the awards ceremony and dinner, as winners were announced across seven categories. One of the most inspiring moments of the evening came as the Chairperson’s Award was presented to Cian McEvoy from Castlewellan, a remarkable young person whose story embodies strength, resilience and determination. Born with a rare congenital heart condition, Cian has spent much of his life undergoing medical treatment and hospital care. Despite these significant challenges, he has never allowed adversity to define him or limit his ambitions. Through dedication, perseverance and countless hours of training, Cian achieved international success in 2025 when he won gold at the WUKF European Championship — an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects both his sporting talent and his unwavering spirit. Accepting the award, Cian encouraged others with a simple but powerful message: “Just believe in yourself.” Host Connor Phillips described him as “an absolute legend,” while Cian humbly paid tribute to his coach, whom he described as his own legend. His story serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through courage, hard work and belief.
Civic Awards 2026 Winners
Chairperson’s Special Award:
Cian McEvoy
Arts, Culture and Heritage Award:
Iúr Cinn Fleadh is a volunteer-led festival which has filled Newry City each August bank holiday with music, language, storytelling and community celebration, attracting thousands of visitors and supporting local businesses.
Community Pride Award:
Stephen Harris, who has been the heart of the Downpatrick Community Allotments for almost 15 years, serving as the driving force behind their transformation.
Fundraising Award:
Gervase McCartan from Newry, who has dedicated over 40 years of fundraising to Cancer Research, raising more than £1.25 million for clinical trails at Queen’s University Belfast and the Patrick G Johnston Centre. Gervase also celebrated his 93 birthday on the evening of the awards and received his award to an audience rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Human Endeavour Award:
The staff team from Cuan Court Children’s Home, Downpatrick, who go above and beyond to care for the children. From care workers to management, they give love support and guidance tirelessly, helping young people to achieve better outcomes.
Volunteering Award:
Ita Gibney for her devotion to over 35 years to the Newtownhamilton community as Volunteer Manager of the Community Centre.
Youth Impact Award:
Rachel Carvill, 17 from Mayobridge is a high-performance athlete and proud international representative of Ireland. She is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in TaekwondDo and excels in amateur boxing.
Speaking after the ceremony, Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said, “The Civic Awards are one of the highlights of the year, as they give us the opportunity to recognise the extraordinary people who contribute so much to life across our district. The stories shared this evening were truly inspiring and a powerful reminder of the compassion, resilience and generosity that exists within our communities.
Every nominee has made a meaningful difference, whether through volunteering, leadership, creativity or quiet acts of kindness. I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and nominees and thank them for everything they do to support others and strengthen community life in Newry, Mourne and Down.”
During the evening, guests also supported the Chairperson’s chosen charities, The Laurence Trust and Head Injury Support, through a charity raffle, raising valuable funds for their work in the community.
Highlights from the Civic Awards 2026 will be shared across the Council’s social media channels using the hashtag #CelebratingYOU.
