“It is important to call out greatness, and all of those being recognised are a powerful example of what it means to go that extra mile for the patient, the community we serve and their colleagues,” according to Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), CEO Barbara Keogh Dunne, speaking at the recent 2026 Staff Hero Award Winners ceremony, adding that she was “proud and privileged to work alongside them.”
The annual awards celebrate staff who go above and beyond to ensure patients receive exceptional care, with the winners joined by colleagues and family members at a special presentation ceremony.
TUH Director of HR, Sharon Larkin, speaking at the event, added that it was “very heartening to discover more about the exceptional people I work with and how committed they are to our patients and one another. All of those nominated have shown incredible dedication and commitment to our patients and the hospital.”
The 2026 Team of the Year Award, which is given to a new or established team that demonstrates excellence in teamwork, went to the TUH Gynaecology Team. One submission from a patient reflected how “their unwavering commitment to excellence and exceptional service was evident at every stage of my care. As a team, they worked seamlessly together and remained reassuring, gentle and deeply compassionate throughout with dedication and professionalism.”
The Patient Experience Award asks patients and their families to nominate a person whose care has delivered an exceptional patient experience. This year’s winner is Mr Dara Kavanagh, Consultant Surgeon. Proposing Dara, one of his patients explained how “Mr Kavanagh is the kindest man; nothing is ever a problem. I’ve had a good few surgeries since 2017, and Mr Kavanagh has always gone above and beyond for me. His bedside manner is amazing, and this goes a long way when you’re feeling very low and sick.”
The Professor Sean Tierney Mentoring Award - designed for a staff member who demonstrated outstanding teaching skills and served as a role model and mentor - went to Sinead Cleary, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Colposcopy.
In nominating Sinead, her colleagues explained how she “not only sees patients, she has also trained multiple NCHDs and nurses in colposcopy who now continue this work all around the country. Obtaining BSCCP accreditation is challenging and without a good trainer, near impossible. Sinead has taken the women’s health service to a new level, and without her, our team wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Maeve Millar, Administrator, Neurophysiology Department, was the recipient of the People Caring for People Award which recognises staff members who exemplify the hospital’s core values: patient care, respect, innovation, collaboration, and accountability. Recommending Maeve for this special recognition, a co-worker said that “from the moment a patient enters our department, Maeve does everything she can to make them feel comfortable and cared for. Every single day, she lifts the spirits of the department with a smile, a joke, or a kind word.”
Dr Aoife Doolan, Consultant Anaesthesiologist, ICU, received the Service Excellence Award for providing outstanding service to patients. As a deserving candidate for this award, Aoife’s colleagues said, “Dr Doolan has set up the peri-operative ECHO service, which allows rapid screening for patients scheduled for elective surgery. She has spearheaded the level 2 ECHO service in the critical care units, which allows high-quality analysis of the sickest patients in the hospital, with strong links forged with the cardiology team to support this service.”
The Unsung Hero Award went to Ricky McKenna, Deputy Chief Information Officer. This award is for a staff member who demonstrates exceptional service to the organisation. Submissions were made by a number of Ricky’s colleagues who commented how “Ricky has consistently demonstrated humility and professionalism in all of his work and achievements. Alongside this, he has played a key role in driving the ICT strategy, development, and overall progress—helping to transform the service to the high standard we benefit from today.”
Marie Lynskey, Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator, received the Teamwork Award designed to recognise someone who is a valued team player. Recommending Marie for this recognition, her colleagues noted how she was the “backbone of our team. She is deeply committed to ensuring that TUH continues to provide high-quality care. At the centre of all she does, she constantly considers how to make TUH a better place for all of the patients attending here. She is a wonderful, supportive colleague both professionally and personally.”
Two Special CEO Awards were also presented at the event. The Technical Services Department received the award in recognition of its commitment and dedication to the hospital and their work behind the scenes to guarantee a safe environment for both patients and staff.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Department received the award as a reflection of the important service they provide to patients. The award also recognises their exceptional commitment and dedication to the hospital.
Presenting the awards to the winners, Barbara Keogh Dunne said she wanted to “congratulate all our award winners - looking through all of the nominations has been deeply gratifying.”