Mick and Valerie Dolan Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
St. John’s Brass and Reed Band have been named Limerick Persons of the Year 2025 at a ceremony in the Clayton Hotel, Limerick this afternoon (Friday, 27 March 2026).
The award acknowledged an extraordinary 160 years of music-making in Limerick city, providing intergenerational mentorship, and promoting civic pride.
Founded in 1865 as The Victuallers Band by Limerick’s butchers’ guild, the band has become one of Ireland’s oldest community bands, performing regularly at civic events, including Limerick’s annual International Band Championship and St Patrick’s Day parades, maintaining its place at the heart of Limerick’s musical life.
St. John’s Brass and Reed Band Chairperson, Tony McCarthy dedicated the award to members past and present, saying:
“We’re absolutely shocked to be honest about it. There were so many worthy recipients throughout the year on a monthly basis and we honestly didn’t think we’d be getting awarded Limerick Persons of the Year. Last year we celebrated our 160th anniversary and we are a band in development, we’re going from strength to strength. This reward is a recognition of the present members and past member who have all played their part in the development of St. John’s Brass and Reed Band.”
Noel McCormack, Secretary of St. John’s Brass and Reed Band, added:
“Music is a collective to achieve an outcome. Part and parcel of our constitution is outreach to the community. We look forward to new young members coming in. Age doesn’t matter, interest is what counts. Music is synonymous with Limerick. The shock and surprise for me was to be mentioned in the company that we were in here today.”
An Extraordinary Year
Limerick celebrated an extraordinary year of achievement, community spirit and resilience through the Limerick Persons of the Month awards. Across 2025, twelve monthly winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions to local life in fields spanning the arts, sport, healthcare, charity, heritage, and personal courage (see full list of honourees below).
St. John’s Brass and Reed Band were awarded Limerick Persons of the Month for May 2025 following their celebration of their 160 year milestone.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran commented:
“The Limerick Person of the Year awards give all of us a chance to reflect on what truly defines so many of the wonderful qualities that make Limerick people who we are and what gives us that different kind of energy to anywhere else. I think this event as a whole sums up the skill, dedication and talent that shapes our communities every day, from Abbeyfeale to Askeaton, from Clarina to Caherdavin and from Dooradoyle to Dromcollogher. We are lucky enough in Limerick to have many thousands of people making a difference across every sector. It is vital that we take the time to recognise and celebrate these contributions. My heartfelt congratulations go to the St. John’s Brass and Reed Band and all other worthy nominees.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mick and Valerie Dolan, the duo behind Limerick’s internationally renowned live music institution Dolan’s Warehouse, have been celebrated with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of their longstanding contribution to the city’s cultural and entertainment landscape.
The couple operate Dolan’s, the much-loved traditional Irish pub on the Dock Road, which also encompasses a restaurant and three vibrant performance spaces Beyond their Dock Road venues, they have played a major role in bringing large-scale live music experiences to iconic Limerick locations, including the Milk Market, King John’s Castle, and the Limerick Docklands.
Mick Dolan thanked the people of Limerick for making Dolans a success, saying:
“We’ve had a great journey from start to finish. We moved from Dublin in 1992 and opened a small bar on the Dock Road. It’s evolved because of the support of the people of Limerick. We are thrilled to get this acknowledgement from the city and the county. We didn’t expect it, and to get it is just amazing. We love what we do, and we’re going to keep doing it.”
Valerie Dolan spoke of the thriving arts scene in Limerick, saying:
“It’s great to get an acknowledgement, it’s great to know that other people think you are doing the right thing. We’ve had a blast here in Limerick. We’ve met and worked with great people. There’s a very strong arts community in Limerick and we’re lucky just to be part of that.”
Áine Fitzgerald, managing editor, Limerick Leader commented:
“The Limerick Leader is incredibly proud to sponsor the Limerick Person of the Year Awards, which celebrate the remarkable people and groups who make our city and county such a special place.These awards shine a light on the positive stories that define our region and remind us of the extraordinary achievements happening in Limerick every day. It is a privilege for the Limerick Leader to support an initiative that recognises and celebrates the people who make Limerick what it is."
David O’Hora, Managing Director of Southern Marketing Design and Media, said they were delighted to continue their sponsorship of the awards and added:
“I say this every year, but it is worth repeating. These people did not enter a competition. They were nominated. Each of them has done remarkable things in their own way and the winner is chosen as a representative of all that the nominees have accomplished.
“I also welcome the opportunity to recognise the contribution that Mick and Valerie Dolan have made to cultural life in Limerick. They are deserving recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Elaine Ryan, Sales and Marketing Manager, Clayton Hotel, Limerick
“Clayton Hotel Limerick is delighted to sponsor the Limerick Person of the Year Awards each year since its inception. This event is steeped in goodwill and celebrates the incredible people in our community who do amazing things every day.
“We are immensely proud to play a part in recognising and honouring these individuals. The awards are a highlight in our calendar each year, and we hope they will continue to be for many years to come.”
About the Limerick Person of the Year Awards
The Limerick Person of the Year Awards are an annual event highlighting those who have made a meaningful impact across areas such as sport, culture, business and community life.
Recipients are selected from a series of monthly award winners, with the overall Person (or Persons) of the Year chosen as a representative of the collective achievements and values demonstrated throughout the year. The awards are not based on open competition but on nominations that reflect dedication, leadership and service to the wider community.
The awards are organised by the Limerick Leader (and Limerick Live) in association with media agency Southern and are supported by Limerick City and County Council. They are jointly sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern, and the Clayton Hotel Limerick, where the annual ceremony traditionally takes place.
Limerick Persons of the Month - 2025 Honourees
January - Christopher Culhane
Ten year old pianist and multiinstrumentalist Christopher Culhane, who was born blind, was honoured for his remarkable musical talent, including earning a gold medal in his first Royal Irish Academy of Music piano exam. A student of Croagh School of Music, he also plays the button accordion and drums.
February - The Limerick Film Industry
Limerick’s rapidly growing film and television sector received collective recognition for expanding local skills, attracting major international productions, and strengthening the region’s creative economy.
March - Kate Healy
World-record rower Kate Healy was honoured after rowing 256,480 metres in 24 hours, raising essential funds for St. Gabriels to support children from across the mid-west with complex physical needs.
April - Paul Lynch
Booker Prize-winning author Paul Lynch was celebrated for his outstanding literary achievements and global acclaim, including Prophet Song and other best-selling works.
May - St John’s Brass and Reed Band
Limerick’s historic St John’s Brass and Reed Band marked 160 years of music-making, earning recognition for its cultural contribution and long-standing role in civic events.
June - UHL’s Medics
A multidisciplinary team at University Hospital Limerick was honoured for their life-saving emergency intervention that helped save the life of an infant in critical condition.
July - Niall O’Donovan
Veteran Munster Rugby figure Niall O’Donovan was recognised for nearly three decades of service as a player, coach and manager, contributing significantly to Munster’s sporting legacy.
This year’s judges were:
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly
Managing Editor of Limerick Leader (Limerick Live) Áine Fitzgerald
August - Margaret Hough & Judy O’Connor
Spotlight Stage School founders Margaret Hough and Judy O’Connor were honoured upon their retirement after 39 years shaping generations of young performers in Limerick.
September - Josh Quinlivan
Young sportsperson Josh Quinlivan was recognised for his resilience and determination as he recovered from a serious road accident, demonstrating exceptional strength and positivity.
October - Dr Paul O’Brien & William Banks
Authors Dr Paul O’Brien and William Banks were celebrated for donating nearly €60,000 to Down Syndrome Limerick through sales of their meticulously researched book on historic Limerick pubs.
November - Ava Crean
Nineteen year old runner Ava Crean made history as the youngest ever women’s national marathon champion and first Irish woman home at the 2025 Dublin Marathon.
December - Donnacha Ryan Luke Memorial Committee
The committee behind the Donnacha Ryan Luke Memorial Truck and Tractor Runs was recognised for raising €222,000 in memory of Donnacha Ryan Luke, supporting numerous community and health organisations.