The Irish Heroes of New England Awards seeks to recognize members of the Irish American community, who through their acts of selfless bravery, leadership or community service, and inspirational stories showcase the best of what it means to be Irish.

In 2013, the annual awards recognized individuals with a focus on acts of bravery and courage, and fundraising efforts in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. Honorees last year included Officer Richard Donohue; MBTA Transit Police, Lt. Sean O’Brien, Boston Fire Department; and Ken Casey, of the Dropkick Murphys and Claddagh Fund.

In a statement, Connell Gallagher, publisher of The Irish Emigrant said “Heroes give more than they take. They think of others before thinking of themselves. And heroes inspire us all to be better people . With countless heroes worthy of recognition, the Irish Heroes of New England Awards seek to honor a representative group of individuals that epitomize the Irish spirit of service and giving.”

We are currently finalizing the list honorees for the 2014 Irish Heroes of New England Awards and invite readers to submit nominations by email to Heroes@IrishEmigrant.com.

The awards will be presented at a reception and awards ceremony to be held in Boston on December 3. The Guinness brewing company and its “Made of More” campaign will be a main supporter of the event.