Naomh Muire's Séamus Mac Ruairí to pick up prestigious Gradaim an Uachtaráin

Séamus Mac Ruairí will pick up the Irish award at the GAA President’s Awards on Friday night.

These prestigious annual awards, organised with the support of AIB and broadcast by TG4, are made by GAA President Larry McCarthy to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network. 

Séamus is one of the founders of Naomh Muire, Iochtar na Rossann. Before the club was founded in 1980, Séamus was heavily involved with Naomh Cróine and Rosses Rovers. 

In addition, he served as Chairman of Donegal County Board and is highly respected throughout the county as a result.

The Irish language was at the heart of everything Séamus did during his four decades dealing with the affairs of the Gaelic Athletic Association. From the day Naomh Muire was founded, all business of the club was done in Irish thanks to people like Séamuis. Of course, he spent over two decades on the Club Committee. 

In addition to that, Séamus has been seen many times on platforms throughout Donegal and further afield at Scór while competing in Irish.

The Gradaim an Uachtaráin are a cross-section of people who have shared the common theme of making an inspirational impact on their code and also their club and community. 

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “The GAA is powered by the selfless dedication of people who commit to serving something bigger than themselves. It is an effort which has enabled our Association to flourish for 140 years.

“The presence of so many GAA clubs throughout Ireland and the World is a testament to the work done by ordinary people who through their involvement in the GAA make an extraordinarily positive impact on their communities and our members.

“Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to recognise individuals who are responsible for that extraordinary service to Gaelic games. In saluting these deserving recipients, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who volunteer their time for the development of Gaelic games for the present and future generations. I congratulate all of our recipients and wish

There are provincial, educational, and Irish language awards, as well as awards recognising contributions made to Ladies football and Camogie, World GAA,  and handball. The Dermot Earley Family Award recipients are the Cahalane  family from Cork.  The Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024 will be broadcast  this Friday night on TG4 at 7.30pm.

As Gaeilge: “Tá Séamus Mac Ruairí ar dhuine de bhunaitheoirí Naomh Muire, Íochtar na  Rosann, club atá suite i nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill. Sular bunaíodh an club sa  bhliain 1980 bhí Séamus bainteach go mór le Naomh Cróine agus Ruagairí na  Rosann. Ina theannta sin, chaith sé seal ina Chathaoirleach ar Bhord Contae  Dhún na nGall agus tá ardmheas air ar fud an chontae dá bharr.  

“Bhí an Ghaeilge ag croílár gach rud a rinne Séamus le linn a cheithre scór bliain  ag plé le cúrsaí Chumann Lúthchleas Gael. Ón lá a bunaíodh Naomh Muire ba i  nGaeilge a rinneadh gach gnó de chuid an chlub a bhuíochas le daoine ar nós  Shéamuis. Dar ndóigh, chaith sé os cionn dhá scór bliain ar Choiste an Chlub.  Anuas air sin, is iomaí uair a bhí Séamus le feiceáil ar ardáin ar fud Dhún na  nGall agus níos faide i gcéin ag Scór agus é ag gabháil san iomaíocht trí  Ghaeilge.”