Sun. Feb 16th, 2025

Honouring an Advocate: The Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer Award

ByAilish Armstrong

Saturday, 5 October 2024, 15:24 , , , , ,
Joe Drennan at 2023's The GALAS
Recognizing efforts to build a brighter future for LGBTQ+ communities

Family and friends of the late Joe Drennan will gather at the GALAS this Saturday, October 5 where the LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer Award is being dedicated in his name. The UL Journalism student was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident in Castletroy last year.

The ceremony acknowledges the efforts made by those who work towards a better future for LQBTQ+ communities in Ireland across thirteen categories. The contenders were nominated by the public and shortlisted by Irish advocacy groups. 

Joe Drennan’s legacy lives on

Marguerite Drennan expressed her pride for the dedicated award in her son’s honour: “We are so proud. We are so proud of everything he’s done. We are delighted there are so many awards in his name.” 

Dr Kathryn Hayes, associate professor, BA Journalism and Digital Communication, spoke of Joe’s legacy a year on, at the University of Limerick: “Joe was an exceptionally talented student journalist whose name will never be forgotten in the University of Limerick. His passion to pursue a journalism career that was dedicated to inclusivity is reflected in the stories he had published and those he had planned to write.”

She also emphasised the importance of the newly named award: “I am delighted that this award has been renamed to honour Joe’s legacy and in particular the contributions he made to the LGBTQ+ community through his own trailblazing journalism work.”

The Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer Award will be given to one of four shortlisted nominees this weekend.