Brendan O’Carroll named Philanthropist of the Year

Award is for comedian’s work with St Vincent de Paul

Winner of the Philanthropist of the Year  award  Brendan O’Carroll, with fellow winners Jim and Adeline Callery and David O’Brien of BNY Mellon. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Winner of the Philanthropist of the Year award Brendan O’Carroll, with fellow winners Jim and Adeline Callery and David O’Brien of BNY Mellon. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Brendan O'Carroll (on left) has been given the title Philanthropist of the Year by the Community Foundation for Ireland for his work with St Vincent de Paul. In 2013 Mr O'Carroll gave €125,000 each to St Vincent de Paul and Irish Autism Action from ticket sales of a Mrs Brown's Boys live show in Dublin. He also made a personal donation of €100,000 to St Vincent de Paul.

Financial services company BNY Mellon, which employs 1,700 people in Ireland, was the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for its work with the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

The special Brian Wilson Award was awarded to Jim and Adeline Callery for their contribution to cultural and educational projects in Co Roscommon.

The awards were established “to recognise the extraordinary generosity and leadership of philanthropists in the country”, according to the Community Foundation for Ireland.