Assumpta Kelly named Athboy Community Person of the Year

Assumpta Kelly, founding member of the Special Hands Group and chairperson of the Athboy Convent Community Centre, has been named the Athboy Community Person of the Year for 2025. The announcement was made during the St Patrick’s Day Parade Awards Ceremony, when outgoing Community Person Gerry Cooke passed the chain of office to Assumpta.

A key figure in many aspects of community life in Athboy, Assumpta is particularly recognised for her commitment to supporting individuals with additional needs. Her exceptional ability to work with people from all backgrounds, combined with her tireless efforts for the community, were highlighted in the nominations. As one of the founding members of the Convent Community Centre committee, Assumpta has been instrumental in its development, including spearheading the creation of a Changing Places facility – one of the first of its kind in Ireland.

In 2002, she also helped establish the Special Hands Group, a parent-led charity that organizes social and recreational events for children and young adults with additional needs. The Special Hands Group members in attendance at the ceremony were full of pride for Assumpta, with one member remarking, “She is an all-around fabulous person; the Special Hands Group she helped establish has changed my life.”

Assumpta thanked everyone who nominated her and expressed her excitement for the year ahead.

The ceremony also included a moment of silence in remembrance of two founding members of the Parade Committee who died over the past year, and passed chain holders, local businessman Padraic Staunton and Margaret Brady, the inaugural Community Person of the Year, who passed away just last week.