Overall Community Award winner Deirdre Collins, Athlone & Midland Samaritans, with Annette Barr Jordan, SEO Westmeath County Council, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke Deputy Mayor Athlone and Moate Municipal District and Frank Mulrennan, CEO Celtic Media, at the Westmeath Independent awards last week. Photo: Paul Molloy.

‘I really believe in the Samaritans and the ethos of it’ - award winner Deirdre Collins

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Deirdre Collins is interviewed on stage by Tadhg Carey, editor.

Rebekah O'Reilly

Published: Thu 27 Nov 2025, 3:41 PM

Deirdre Collins has dedicated 34 years to bringing the ethos of the Samaritans to Athlone, a mission that has made a lasting impact on the Midlands community.

At the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards, Deirdre was honoured with the Overall Community Award. Tadhg Carey, editor of the Westmeath Independent, welcomed her to the stage, acknowledging the Samaritans' profound contribution: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the Samaritans has helped thousands of people since its founding in Athlone in 1992.”

In her acceptance speech, Deirdre reflected on the personal motivation behind her commitment. “In the late 80s and early 90s, there were a lot of tragic events in the Midlands. I used to see advertisements for the Samaritans on the back of the national newspapers, and I investigated whether there was any in the Midlands.

“There was one in Galway and Dublin, but none in the Midlands. So I went about seeing how we could establish one here."

She continued, emphasising the importance of the Samaritans' services: “Having someone at the other end of the phone can make all the difference. People don't have to give their name, they can talk for as long as they like, and it's completely confidential, which I think is important.

"I really believe in the Samaritans, and the ethos of it. There's over 90 volunteers in Athlone, who come in and quietly do their duty every week, 52 weeks of the year including Christmas."

Alongside its 24/7 emergency support line, Samaritans Athlone also hosts an annual Christmas Concert, which has become a much-anticipated highlight of the Midlands' festive calendar.

"We have the volunteers in the centre, but our service couldn't exist without the volunteers in the community, they give great support at all the fundraising events. It's very important for the maintenance of the service."

She also expressed her gratitude to the Westmeath Independent, which played a key role in supporting the creation of the Midlands branch.

"The Westmeath Independent started the journey with me. It was the only way of reaching all the community before the advent of internet and social media," she said.

In closing, she dedicated the award to the Samaritans' dedicated volunteers.

"I was very happy to be accompanied on the afternoon by a number of our original and still serving volunteers who shared with me in the joy of the awards and were all very impressed by the organisation and atmosphere of the event. Great credit must also go to the hospitality of Paddy and Alan McCaul and all the staff of the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. I would also like to thank those who nominated me.

"The award is a wonderful tribute not just to me but to all the volunteers and to all who have supported the Athlone and Midlands Samaritans over the past 34 years."