A Tullamore teenager who was named as the Lions Club International Youth of the Year for Ireland has just competed in the Britain and Ireland competition.
Bridget Molloy, of Molduf, Sragh Road, Tullamore, made it into the final three places at the international competition in Birmingham, which took place last weekend.
The award, sponsored by Reuters, the international news agency, is open to young people between 16-18 years of age who have achieved recognition in community and charitable work.
Bridget, who will celebrate her 17th birthday in a few weeks, was chosen to represent Ireland from more than 350 entrants from all over the State.
The competition also looks at their leadership skills and their presentation and communication skills. Competitions were held at county, regional and national level.
Earlier this year, Bridget, who is a student at Tullamore College, won the national competition because of her deep involvement in the community life of her town.
That involved beating off the challenge of more than 350 other young people from around the State who took part in the competition, which is held annually.
She is actively involved in the Chernobyl Children's Project, the Offaly Talking Newspaper for the Association for the Blind and the Tullamore Active Retirement Group.
In addition, Bridget has helped to raise money for the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre and other organisations in the town.
In her spare time she plays a full and active role in a wide range of activities in Tullamore College, and she participates in many sporting activities, including coaching the under-age teams at Tullamore hockey club.
Last weekend she travelled to Birmingham with her father, Ray Molloy, and the local Lions Club youth award officer, George Manzor.
"We were very proud of Bridget in the way she represented Ireland, especially as most of the young people taking part in the competition in the Moate House Hotel were older than she is," said Mr Manzor.
"The standard was extremely high and we understand that Bridget was in the last three competitors for the overall title," he said.
"Getting there was a major achievement for Bridget and she really impressed the judges. We were very happy with the overall performance in what was a memorable weekend," he said.