Olive Quinn: Unsung Hero finalist

A commitment to volunteer for the enhancement of Dún na Sí in Moate was made by Olive Quinn two decades ago, and has proven continuous.

“I’m a sort of person that if I make a commitment to do something, I’ll do it, and I got involved in 2008 when the park was mooted by Frank Kelly,” said Olive.

She is a board member of the Amenity Park, and among her many areas of involvement is with a ‘Walk and Talk’ group, who meet at the park every Sunday.

“We have a get-together with some foreign nationals, which includes tea and coffee, and the refugees, who come over from Temple Spa direct provision centre, and the Ukrainian newcomers, treat us to their baking,” said Olive, who also does some baking for the occasion early in the morning.

Olive has been involved in organising fundraising at Dun na Si since its 2008 beginning, and dedicates a lot of her time to the committee.

She also works voluntarily with Moate Tidy Towns and goes out with them on their Saturday morning litter pick-ups.

She is modest about much of the work she does at Dun na Si, but is a familiar face around the place, working in different spots, including recently selling vegetables at a sale of works.

“I get great satisfaction out of it, and love to see our local community enjoying the place,” she said.

During the recent vegetable market at Dún na Sí, she made a “nice bit of money”, for Moate Social Services.

“There are great volunteers for Dún na Sí that we can call on, who never say no, and always turn up trumps for us, and I always think that you have to mind your volunteers because they are important,” said Olive.

Olive said that her husband, Jim Quinn, and her family are very supportive of the voluntary work she does in Moate.

“My husband locks the gate every night there when it’s getting dark, and he and my daughter and her in-laws and are a great support,” she said.

The other Unsung Hero finalists are Chrissie Killian and Rory Parkes.

The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Thursday.

The Unsung Hero category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union.