Imeachtaí Tábhachtacha

Lismore Town Council hosts Civic Reception in honour of World Transplant Champion Oisín O'Gorman

 The Mayor of Lismore, Councillor Ken Madden, temporarily “vacated the chair” on Friday 16th September 2011, choosing instead to allow World Champion Oisín O’Gorman occupy the seat, as Lismore Town Council hosted a Civic Reception to honour the achievements of young Oisín at the World Transplant Games in Gothenburg , Sweden, last June.

Oisín, who is just ten years of age, won three gold and one silver medal at this international event. Councillor Madden suggested that the medals donned by him for the occasion were but “on loan” for his term as Mayor and couldn’t compare to the gold and silver proudly displayed by Oisín, won on a world stage earlier this year. The Mayor highlighted the significance of the achievements being celebrated, and congratulated all involved, including Ireland’s Transplant Team Manager, Colin Whyte, who was present at the occasion. Colin, from the Irish Kidney Association thanked Lismore Town Council for their acknowledgement of Oisín’s success story and added that the medals are not the only good thing to come from the Games, as the event contributes greatly in the positive promotion of organ donation. He thanked Oisín and his dad Kieran for stopping off at Temple Street Children’s Hospital on returning home after the Games. Members of Lismore Town Council each paid tribute to the achievements of young Oisín, hailing it as a great honour for Lismore to be represented on this international stage.

 Oisín was reminded that he was in good company, with such receptions having been hosted in the past in honour of hurler Dan Shanahan and local jockey Kenneth Whelan. Town Clerk, Karen Hallahan suggested that Oisin’s story was a great example of turning bad luck around. The Mayor and Members wished Oisín the best of luck for the future and in particular with his preparation and participation at the next World Transplant Games which will take place in South Africa in 2013