For a man with close to fifty years of community service, Bernie Kearney from Four-Mile-House shows no signs of slowing down.

For it is that commitment and energy that has seen him nominated for a prestigious LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) award in the “Best Community Volunteer” of the year category. The awards night takes place in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on Saturday, February 22nd.

Married to Patricia, the couple have six children and is the proud grandfather of thirteen grand- children and one great-grandchild. He incidentally also comes from a family of six and is proud to say that all of his siblings continue to live and work in the county.

A former Development Officer with community organisation, Muintir na Tire for over thirty years, throughout his life Bernie has been a firm adherent to the mission statement of the organisation’s founder, Canon Hayes.

“Canon Hayes always said that the success of any community was in the relationships they enjoyed with agencies and stakeholders. Now, more than ever, that is particularly true. It is vital groups have a strong and positive relationship with their local authority, for example.”

For Bernie, his years of service began in 1976 when he joined his local Grange Group Water Scheme, serving as its Secretary from 1990 to 2010. In 1981, Bernie went to serve as a parent’s representative on the board of Carnalasson National School.

In subsequent years, that role evolved to serving on a new School Building Committee, entrusted with the building and site identification for a new school, which became a reality in 1987 and which continues to thrive.

Like any inspiring community activist, Bernie’s vision for Kilbride mirrors his strategic vision for the community. Along with four other parents, Bernie set up a local Youth Club in 1983. Since then, the club has won four All-Ireland titles and is the envy of many other clubs.

For close on forty years, Bernie has also been a member of his local Parish Council, currently serving as Treasurer. He has also established a local community and text alert service as well as sourcing security pendants for the over 65’s. Later this year, Kilbride will be declared an Age Friendly Parish. Currently Bernie is also Chairperson of the Roscommon Older Person’s Council.

It is safe to safe that there are few, if any communities in county Roscommon who are unfamiliar with the range of services and supports offered in Kilbride. In 1991, a six year journey began which culminated in the opening of the Kilbride Community Centre.

The Centre is the focal point of the community and underpins services such as a Community Bus and Shop, a Coffee Dock, an Astroturf pitch and Childcare Centre. Today, many community events and concerts are held at the Centre.

From a Local Authority perspective, Bernie has also participated on several local policy committees over the years and is currently serving as a PPN community representative on the Climate Action, Environment and Rural Water Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

Bernie’s wisdom and astute contributions have also seen him engage in many agencies and groups, among them Roscommon LEADER Partnership and related sub-committees, the county’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and Citizens Information board.

Looking ahead to the awards, Bernie is understandably delighted to be nominated: “This isn’t just about me, it’s about the great community we have in Kilbride. Everyone works well together – we have a pride in our community. The late Fr. Raymond Browne was a great inspiration to many of us”, says Bernie ahead of the awards night.