Carrigaline carer named regional winner of national awards

By Tara Maher

Irene O’Neill, from Carrigaline was announced as a regional winner of the Comfort Keepers Carer of the Year. 

Irene O’Neill received the award for her compassion and empathy, high standards in caring, and her passion for her work. Attended by family, friends, and Comfort Keepers colleagues, Irene received her official award at a recent event held in Croke Park to celebrate the 2025 Regional Carer of the Year Winners – she was chosen as one of ten finalists from around the country.

Irene has two adult children, and she lives with her husband Pat and their puppy, Spencer. Irene has been caring for almost 14 years, and she looked after her mother-in-law with dementia and her two young children at the same time. 

Irene O’Neill, from Carrigaline was announced as a regional winner of the Comfort Keepers Carer of the Year. 

Collette Gleeson, CEO of Comfort Keepers congratulated Irene on the win saying “Irene is a natural carer, bringing empathy, compassion and lots of passion to any setting. She is a fabulous ambassador for Comfort Keepers and a very deserving regional winner. This annual celebration is a really important opportunity for us to honour the incredibly hardworking and passionate members of our team”.

Irene was thrilled to win the award saying “I am honoured to receive this recognition for helping my Cork clients to stay in their own home and familiar surroundings for as long as possible. I love getting up in the morning and going to work and being able to make a difference to my clients’ everyday living; seeing a client accepting help is a wonderful experience. Caring is without a doubt the most rewarding job - it’s not always easy, but that’s what makes it so important.”