Jon Kenny, Johnny Duhan and John Murphy were inducted into the posthumous Hall of Fame
Twenty-four-year-old UL graduate Olivia Humphreys has been named Limerick Person of the Year 2024 at a ceremony in the Clayton Hotel in Limerick today, Friday, March 7. Olivia, from Pallasgreen, was honoured for her innovative scalp cooling device, ‘Athena,’ designed to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. Her invention previously secured her the James Dyson 2024 award.
Olivia was Limerick Person of the Month 2024 for November. ‘Athena’ is a portable, thermoelectric battery-operated scalp cooling device for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment. It is more cost-effective and time-saving than hospital models, without compromising on quality.
Receiving the Limerick Person of the Year 2024 award, Olivia Humphreys expressed her excitement, saying: “Being a part of this has been so lovely, but actually winning it has been an adrenaline rush really. I didn’t expect it at all and it’s really humbling and exciting to be part of it. I’m delighted!”
“The work that went into Athena was a lot and to have it recognised is really lovely. I know mum’s going to be so happy,” said Olivia. She was inspired to create ‘Athena’ after seeing her mum Vicky undergo chemotherapy in hospital. “She was the inspiration. I was in the final year of product design in university in UL and I wanted to do something big. I wanted to solve a big problem and I was looking at things like sustainability and climate change, and mom was like, ‘you know what’s really needed is looking at chemotherapy treatment and cancer care treatment and addressing the theme of hair loss during chemotherapy.’”
The University of Limerick (UL) graduate is now working as a Research and Development Engineer at Luminate Medical in Galway, focusing on medical device technology. She has also been in New York working on a clinical trial for the device.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, congratulated all the winners of Limerick Person of the Month in 2024: “The Limerick Person of the Month and Limerick Person of the Year Awards are a fantastic celebration of outstanding members of our community. Each recipient is truly deserving of the recognition they receive.”
He also mentioned Olivia: “Heartfelt congratulations to Olivia Humphreys, our Limerick Person of the Year 2024. Her innovative work with ‘Athena’ is set to revolutionise chemotherapy treatment, a subject close to my heart, and we look forward to seeing its positive impact on patients’ lives.”
Limerick Hall of Fame Inductions
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, posthumously inducted Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny, and John Murphy into the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame. The honour celebrates renowned ambassadors for Limerick, recognising their achievements and contributions to the greater good.
- Johnny Duhan was recognised for his remarkable musical talent. The late Mr. Duhan, who passed away in November 2024, grew up on Wolfe Tone Street in Limerick city and is most well known for writing The Voyage.
- Jon Kenny, the actor, poet, writer, and comedian, was remembered for his longtime dedication to making people smile and provoking thought through his work.
- John Murphy was honoured as a champion of Limerick theatre—a storyteller, actor, director, and writer who believed in the transformative power of the arts.
They now join the late musician and The Cranberries frontwoman, Dolores O’Riordan, along with Ireland’s oldest busker, Tom McNamara, in the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame.
Now in its 24th year, the Limerick Person of the Month and Limerick Person of the Year honours are jointly sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design and Media, and the Clayton Hotel. The initiative is backed by the Limerick City and County Council.
Áine Fitzgerald, Managing Editor of the Limerick Leader, stated: “The Limerick Leader/Limerick Live is honoured to be part of the Limerick Person of the Year awards. This event celebrates the remarkable achievements of our monthly winners, who embody ambition, hope, and selflessness. It’s an honour to be part of their journey.”
Dave O’Hora, Managing Director of Southern, commented: “The individuals chosen are a testament to the collective achievements and hard work of everyone involved. Our Hall of Fame inductees have shown exceptional talent and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy in Limerick that we all cherish.”
Limerick Persons of the Month 2024
The Limerick Persons of the Month 2024 are individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to their fields and the Limerick community, making them worthy contenders for the Limerick Person of the Year 2024.
The Limerick Persons of the Month 2024 were:
January: Seán O’Sullivan
- Achievement: Winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
- Contribution: Developed “VerifyMe,” a new approach to authorship attribution in the era of A.I.
February: Shane Sheehy
- Achievement: Owner of a Limerick-dedicated bar in Lanzarote.
- Contribution: Created a “taste of home” for Limerick people abroad, showcasing Limerick’s history and heritage.
March: Gareth Bromell
- Achievement: International Celebrity hairstylist.
- Contribution: Works with celebrities and major fashion brands, maintaining strong ties to his Limerick roots.
April: Organisers of Monagea for CRY
- Achievement: Raised approximately €500,000 for CRY Ireland over 10 years.
- Contribution: Fundraising in memory of loved ones lost to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
May: The People’s Museum of Limerick
- Achievement: Helping the public understand the social, political and cultural forces that have enriched the story of Limerick.
- Contribution: Reflects the diverse lives and history of Limerick while providing a space for artistic and cultural events.
June: John Liddy
- Achievement: Poet with a long-standing career.
- Contribution: Published numerous poetry collections and co-founded The Stony Thursday Book.
July: Hayleigh Kiely
- Achievement: ISKA World Kickboxing Champion.
- Contribution: Recognised for her dedication and success in martial arts and as a Limerick ambassador in sport.
August: Róisín Ní Ríain
- Achievement: Paralympian swimmer and winner of two medals (Silver and Bronze) in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
- Contribution: Balances academic work with a rigorous training schedule, inspiring many.
September: Eugene Wall
- Achievement: Former President of Mary Immaculate College.
- Contribution: Over 44 years of service in education, significantly impacting MIC and the Limerick community.
October: Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP)
- Achievement: Contributed to Limerick’s regeneration and economic development.
- Contribution: Supported community projects and provided employment and training opportunities.
November: Olivia Humphreys (Winner – Limerick Person of the Year 2024)
- Achievement: Winner of the James Dyson 2024 award.
- Contribution: Invented ‘Athena,’ a portable scalp cooling device for chemotherapy patients, inspired by her mother’s experience with cancer treatment.
December: Ellen Gannon
- Achievement: Munster Young Carer of the Year 2024.
- Contribution: Cares for her twin brothers with non-verbal autism, despite her own challenges with ADHD and dyslexia, and excels in sports and art.
Congratulations to all the worthy recipients of the Limerick Person of the Month and Person of the Year awards from the Limerick Voice team.