Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie
Castlebar woman Aisling Neary is one of ten people who will be honoured at the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Awards this November in Taiwan.
Aisling, who is from Rathbawn, Castlebar has been recognised internationally for her humanitarian and voluntary leadership qualities. She has devoted her nursing talents and caring nature to various charities, and helped fund the building of a school in a remote village in Ghana in 2010.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Aisling said she was ‘thrilled’ with the win. She was traveling home from Inishbofin last Wednesday when she got the news via text message.
“I was on my way home when Michelle Daly, the National President of the JCI (Junior Chamber International) sent me a text saying, ‘We’re going to Taiwan, ring me’.”
With the awards taking place in mid-November in conjunction with the World Congress, Aisling must rearrange planned charity work in Nepal. “I would have had to get a multiple entry visa, so I said I’d just wait till after the awards,” she explained.
After receiving more than 1,000 votes to ensure her place at the awards, Aisling is already preparing for the event. “I’ve so much I need to do, between getting videos and locating old certificates that I have to bring with me. It’s going to be lovely.”
Aisling is most looking forward to meeting her fellow award winners. “I nearly feel like I know the others in the competition from reading their bios on the voting website. It will be nice to meet them in person.”
The Castlebar woman was chosen from a field of 20 finalists which were whittled down to ten, ranging from her own category, Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership, to Political, Legal and/or Governmental affairs.
Aisling’s parents are ‘over the moon’. “They are so proud of me. The phone hasn’t stopped hopping since I found out. People have been so good,” said Aisling.
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