Melvin Jones Fellowships

Melvin Jones Fellowships

Due to Covid 19 the Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards for 2020 were presented by the spouses of the recipients during a Zoom club meeting. In her address President Bernadette Murray thanked Lion Brian Dooley for his long distinguished service to the club and his outstanding role as club secretary for the past 8 years. She also thanked Sheilagh McGirl for her 15 years service to the club during which she served as president on 2 occasions.

At the Charter Dinner 2018, the District Governor, Frank O'Donoghue, presented Melvin Jones Fellowships to Lion Alfie O'Dowd, in recognition of his hard work organising all the club events, and to Matthew Ryan (Jr) who continues to make the Grand Hotel available to the club for all occasions, following the tradition set by his father, Matt Sr. since the club's inception in 1973.

At the President's Handover on 3rd July 2018, outgoing President Mary McNamara had the pleasure of presenting Stephen MacDonagh and Tony McCarthy with Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards. Both were inducted into the club on the same day in 1989. In her address Lion President Mary complimented Tony on his organisation of the club's Art Exhibition over the years (Tony is an acclaimed artist himself), his photography during club events, and his compiling of the club's scrapbooks and photo albums. Stephen was complimented on his twenty-year commitment to St. Francis Hospice through the annual Hill Walk, and his commitment to the wider community through his involvement in Meals on Wheels, the parish Lourdes pilgrimage, the Credit Union and the St. Sylvester's GAA Healthy Clubs Initiative. The award came as a surprise to both recipients, who are former club presidents.

Patricia & Stephen MacDonagh

Terry & Tony McCarthy

At the club meeting of May 15th 2018, Lion President Mary McNamara presented the organisation's highest award to Lion Paul Douglas. During her speech she outlined his twenty five years of service, including Club presidency, Zone Chairmanship, district officer and his great service to the community, especially his work with the local Senior Citizens. The award came as a great surprise to Paul, who was somewhat nonplussed to see his wife Marie being led into the meeting as the president began to speak.

Malahide Lions Club presents Lion Frank Higgins with the Melvin Jones Award.
At the President's handover on 3rd July, to acknowledge his dedication to duty, to serve his fellow man and the community, this globally recognised award, the most senior award in Lionism, was presented for the fourth time.
"By his enthusiasm, commitment and unselfish devotion to helping others in need, his creativity and attention to detail, his achievement with so many different and diverse activities, all the time leading from the front providing motivation and inspiration to so many others, this stalwart of Malahide Lions has been unanimously awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones fellowship."
The outgoing President, Joseph D Gunning, stated with all humility that it really was a pleasure, a privilege and an honour, to present such an award to such a deserving colleague, fellow member and friend, who emulates all that is best in Lionism, Mr Frank Higgins.