There was great excitement this week in the offices of Tochar Valley Rural Community Network , based in Mayo Abbey,  when the Mayo Person of the Year 2018, Sr Maureen Lally returned from Dublin having received the honour of being named Mayo Person of the Year 2018.

Sr Maureen, a member of the Mercy Order, now in her eighties, has worked as a primary teacher in the US, as a Teagasc Advisor in Mayo, and as a Social Worker - and throughout all those careers – her passion and belief in community development, cooperation and networking penetrated all her work.

Tochar Valley Rural Community Network stretches over a large geographical area that spreads from Balla to Croagh Patrick, incorporating 18 rural communities.

It helps communities to help themselves and its a voluntary organisation.

In March, the weekend before St Patrick’s Day, it will hold its internationally popular Tochar Walk Festival, and later this year will again be involved with post graduate US exchange students that have over decades now helped to promote and develop rural community networking and development across Mayo communities.

Sr Maureen’s life and work is extensive and impressive and Midwest News editor Teresa O’Malley visited her in her office in Mayo Abbey earlier this week.