Kenyan-based Ireland priest Father Gabriel Dolan has been selected among the 13 people to receive the 2023 Ireland presidential award after serving and volunteering for over 40 years in Kenya.
The missionary priest has been recognised by Ireland's President, Michael D Higgins for his work in the area of peace, reconciliation, and development in Kenya.
While receiving the award, at a special ceremony in Dublin last week, Father Dolan celebrated the award by stating, “Among this year’s group, I am the only person serving in Africa and the only priest or religious person."
The award recognised the exceptional achievements, contributions, and service of members of the diaspora.
Although he is originally from Cashel, Father Dolan has dedicated his life to communities in Kenya for over four decades, fighting first for voters' rights, then expanding the cause to include land rights and the battle against corruption.
Following the announcement of the nomination Ireland's foreign minister Micheál Martin clarified that the list of the nominees spanned across a broad range of qualifications.
“Each of the 13 awardees has made an outstanding mark in their field of endeavour – across the arts, culture, charitable works, business, education, science, Irish community support, peace and reconciliation, and inclusion and equality,"
“I look forward to meeting them in Ireland when the President presents the awards.” The minister clarified.
Ireland Presidential Distinguished Service Award for Irish Abroad was established in 2012 and different delegates have received the honours ever since.
“I am both humbled and honoured to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award," Father Dolan stated after receiving the award.
Father Dolan has been running an active campaign in Kenya, especially in the western region areas dubbed 'Haki Yetu'.
Through the forum, he faced arrest and was detained without bail, in August 2005, after staging a protest of local civil rights in Kenya.
