By Eoin Mc Garvey in Dublin
The Donegal Association in Dublin never fail to impress and Saturday night was no different when the ballroom in the Bonnington Hotel was packed for the presentation of the 2025 Donegal Person of the Year award to Ardara native Packie Keeney.
Born and raised in Ardara, and later making his home in Lifford, Packie Keeney, 79, has left an indelible mark on Donegal’s cultural, social, sporting and economic life, ensuring that its heritage remains strong for generations to come.
The committee of the Donegal Association in Dublin pictured with Packie Keeney, 2025 Donegal Person of the Year in Dublin on Saturday night.
Better known to many as a co-founder and a broadcaster on Highland Radio, Packie played a pivotal role in reshaping Ireland’s broadcasting landscape. An engineer by trade and an entrepreneur by instinct, he was involved in lobbying for a local radio licence for the north west as early as 1979.
In the early years Packie served in various roles with Highland Radio including chairman, director, manager, presenter and engineer, personally designing and installing transmission solutions to ensure that even the most remote parts of Donegal could tune in.
A respected broadcaster and cultural champion, Packie also used his voice to promote Donegal’s rich musical heritage. A former member of The Barleycorns Band, he went on to present a range of popular programmes on Highland Radio, most notably his multi-award-winning show ‘Monday Night Live’, which he hosted for fifteen years.
A committed GAA man, Packie played with Ardara GAA in his early years and followed on then as trustee, manager and coach with CLG Naomh Pádraig in Lifford. He has also held a role with Donegal GAA on the Ulster Council. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the GAA, he was recently honoured with the Charlie Bennett Hall of Fame award by CLG Ard an Ratha.
Packie is also a devoted historian and archivist of Donegal life. Through thousands of photographs and videos shared online, he has meticulously captured and preserved moments ranging from GAA matches and motorsport to music festivals, community gatherings and the county’s rich tweed-making heritage. A snippet of his archive was featured in a video presentation on Saturday night.
Peggy Stringer, President, Donegal Association in Dublin and Kathleen Sheerin, Honorary Assistant Secretary present Packie Keeney with his Donegal Person of the Year award in Dublin on Saturday night. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)
On announcement of the award, Packie said he was deeply honoured and genuinely humbled to receive this recognition.
“Donegal has always shaped who I am, its people, its spirit, and its sense of community. Any contribution I’ve made to the county has been a privilege, just as it is to share this award with so many great people I’ve so admired over the years. This includes my irreplaceable friend, Stephen McCahill. We will now carry this award forward in his honour and I would like to thank the Donegal Association Dublin for this opportunity,” he said.
Speaking to the Donegal News on Saturday night Packie described the awarding of Donegal Person of the Year on him as “humbling”, adding he is very honoured indeed.
“It was unexpected, and I am amazed at the tributes and messages of congratulation that are coming in since the announcement,” he said.
Siobhan Shovlin, Chairperson, Donegal Association of Dublin with Packie Keeney in Dublin on Saturday night.
Newly elected Chairperson of the Donegal Association Siobhán Shovlin told the Donegal News that they are absolutely delighted to honour Packie Keeney as Donegal Person of the Year 2025, adding that the annual award celebrates individuals who represent the very best of Donegal.
“Packie is an extremely deserving recipient of this award. We have a full house here in the Bonnington tonight with 400 guests. Tickets were selling right up until today which tells me everything I need to know about how deserving Packie is of this award. It is a privilege for the Donegal Association Dublin to recognise and celebrate such a remarkable person,” she said.
Packie was joined at the function by his sons Declan, Michael and Martin, daughters in law Joyce and Kathy, grandsons Aiden and Patrick, siblings, relatives, friends and many neighbours from Lifford and Ardara. His late wife Kathleen passed away in 2021, and she was fondly remembered by Packie in his address to the gathering on Saturday night.
Several past recipients were in attendance on the night including John Mc Carter (2024), Jason Black (2018), John Carr (2007), Bríd Rodgers (2002), Deirdre Mc Glone (2015), Noel Cunningham (2019), and Brian Mc Eniff (1992).
The first recipient of the Donegal Person of the Year award was Fr James Mc Dyer in 1978. Further coverage in Thursday’s edition.
Bishop Niall Coll and 2019 Donegal Person of the Year Noel Cunningham in Dublin on Saturday night.
Brendan Part and Shauna Mc Mahon at the Donegal Person of the Year event in Dublin.
Paul Gallagher, Finn Gallagher, Áine Ní Churrain, and Damien Mc Keever at the Donegal Person of the Year event in Dublin.
2025 Mary from Dungloe Ellie Ward pictured with festival director Gavin Boyle at the Donegal Person of the Year event in Dublin.
2015 Donegal Person of the Year Deirdre Mc Glone with her son Carl and daughter Christina.
John Mc Laughlin, CEO, Donegal County Council with John Mc Carter, 2024 Donegal Person of the Year and his sons William and Joe.
Highland Radio’s Oisin Kelly congratulates Packie Kenney, 2025 Donegal Person of the Year.