The elected members of Ennis Municipal District (MD) awarded a Mayoral Reception at Áras Contae an Chláir on Thursday evening in honour of acclaimed filmmaker and ocean conservationist Ken O’Sullivan, internationally renowned artist Mick O’Dea, and community champions Mahmudur Rahman Barobhuiya and Elizabeth Barobhuiya.
Hosted by Mayor of Ennis Cllr Mary Howard, the reception recognised the outstanding contribution each of the recipients has made to community, cultural and artistic life in Clare and beyond.
Born and reared in Ennis and now living in Lahinch, Ken O’Sullivan has become one of Ireland’s best known documentary filmmakers and underwater cinematographers.
Through award-winning productions including Ireland’s Ocean, Ireland’s Deep Atlantic and North Atlantic: The Dark Ocean, his work has brought the beauty of the marine environment to audiences across Ireland and internationally.
His documentaries are also used in secondary schools, while his book Stories from the Deep has been widely praised for its storytelling and reflections on nature and life at sea.
Ennis-born artist Mick O’Dea has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning decades in Ireland and abroad. A former President of the Royal Hibernian Academy and member of Aosdána, he has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of his contribution to the arts, education and public life.
In 2025, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy Honoris Causa by Dublin City University. Earlier this year, he served as Grand Marshal of the Ennis St Patrick’s Day Parade.
The reception also recognised the outstanding community spirit shown by Liz and Rony Barobhuiya through their annual Christmas Day Meals initiative. What began with a request to help one elderly woman spending Christmas Day alone has grown into a major community effort providing more than 140 hot meals each year to elderly people, people experiencing homelessness and emergency service workers across the county. Supported by volunteers, local businesses and the wider community, the initiative has become a valued part of Christmas Day for many people in Clare.
Mayor Howard said the recipients represented the best of County Clare.
“It was a great privilege to honour these exceptional individuals. Ken O’Sullivan has showcased the beauty of our oceans to audiences around the world, Mick O’Dea has made an enormous contribution to Irish art and culture, while Liz and Rony Barobhuiya have shown what community spirit and kindness are all about through their work helping others.
“Each of the recipients has made a lasting contribution in their own way and it was wonderful to acknowledge their achievements through this Mayoral Reception.”
Director of Services for Planning, Economic, Rural and Community Development and Ennis MD, Jason Murphy, said the reception was an important opportunity to recognise people making a positive difference in their communities.
“These recipients have brought great pride to Clare through their talent, commitment and generosity. Their achievements reflect the strong sense of community, creativity and leadership that exists throughout the county.
“Clare County Council was delighted to support this reception and recognise the significant contribution each of the recipients has made to community and cultural life.”
