Nursing home heroes shortlisted for National Care Awards
Five dedicated nursing home workers from across Cork have earned national recognition after being shortlisted for the 2025 Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) Care Awards.
The finalists, representing Ballincollig, Skibbereen, Fermoy and Kinsale, will travel to Dublin next month for the awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced at a gala event in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Thursday 6 November.
Among this year’s finalists is Stephy Sebastian, Clinical Nurse Manager at Ballincollig Community Nursing Unit. Originally from Kerala in India, Stephy moved to Ireland in 2021 and has been praised for her leadership in developing individualised care plans. She mentors staff, leads clinical audits, along with promoting residents' rights.
Zineb Lemzouri of Skibbereen Residential Care Centre has also been recognised. Originally from Morocco, Zineb came to Ireland nearly two decades ago and began her healthcare career after volunteering with people with disabilities. Shortly after joining Skibbereen Residential Care Centre in 2022, she was selected to mentor new staff due to her exemplary teaching skills.
Gillian O’Shea, Activities Co-ordinator at Amberley Home and Retirement Cottages in Fermoy, has transformed daily life for residents through her creativity. After returning to education in her late 30s, she is now Activities Manager, introducing virtual reality headsets that let residents ‘visit’ their hometowns along with book clubs developed with Cork County Library.
In Kinsale, two staff members from Haven Bay Care Centre, Sherin George, Clinical Nurse Manager, and Margerete Moreto, Healthcare Coordinator, have been shortlisted, showcasing the strength of the team and its commitment to care.
The Cork finalists will join nominees from across the country at next month’s ceremony. The finalists were chosen by an independent judging panel, chaired by Professor Amanda Phelan of DCU, along with Paula O’Reilly, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, and Andy Heffernan, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, said the Cork nominations reflect the outstanding standard of care being delivered in the county’s nursing homes.
"We are incredibly proud to recognise these five Cork finalists for the NHI Care Awards. Every day, nursing home staff demonstrate remarkable compassion and professionalism in caring for older people.
“These awards provide a platform to celebrate their achievements and to say thank you for the profound difference they make to residents' lives and to their families."