The Brendan Award was inaugurated in 1997 by the Australian-Irish Heritage Association to honour those who have given outstanding service to the Irish community in Australia and especially in Western Australia.
St Brendan is one of the most revered Saints in Ireland. He was born c489 in Ciarraigh Lua near Tralee in Co Kerry and died c578. He was known as the Navigator as he sailed around the cost of Ireland and the Scottish Isles spreading the word of God and setting up monasteries. He was famous for his seven-year voyage in a search for The Land of Delight during which he was supposed to have discovered America.
The first Brendan Award was sculpted by Irish artists Joan and Charlie Smith and has been presented for the past two decades. Subsequent awards were designed by Denis Bratton and sculpted by Dave Burke of Celtic Swan Furniture and the latest ones sculptured by Charlie Totten. The wood sculpture takes the form of an Irish Standing Stone, many of which are scattered around Ireland. They represent many things, gravesites, boundary markers, and remains of religious structures which may have been used by the druids.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can make a nomination?
Any person or group can make a nomination, and all relevant work, or contributions will be considered.
What are some examples of desirable work?
Examples of desirable candidates for the award are those who have contributed to the community through voluntary work over a long period, have given valuable input to the arts, or through their sporting achievements. The chief consideration is the way they have they enhanced the status of Ireland and the Irish through their activities.
What type of people have won previously?
Previous recipients have come from a diverse range of backgrounds. They include actors, musicians, politicians, footballers and youth motivators.
When do nominations close?
31st December each year
Past Recipients of The Brendan Award
| Year | Recipient |
| 1997 | Mary Robinson – President of the Republic of Ireland |
| 1997 | Sean and Margaret Doherty – Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Perth |
| 1998 | Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith – Sculptors Gidgegannup WA |
| 1998 | William (Bill) Motherway – Irish Theatre Players |
| 1999 | Jim Stynes – Irish AFL Footballer and charity founder |
| 1999 | Reverend William (Bill) Coffey – Irish Culture and Genealogy research |
| 1999 | Joe O’Sullivan OBE, OAM – Founder of Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc |
| 2000 | Richard O’Brien – Irish Ambassador to Australia |
| 2000 | Michael Nolan – Honorary Irish Consul General Perth |
| 2001 | Paddy and Lena Costello – Irish Club |
| 2002 | Not awarded |
| 2003 | Joe and Lotte Crozier – Irish Club and Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc |
| 2004 | Tom Kearns – GAA and Comhaltas Ceoltori, Perth |
| 2005 | Tom and Kath Quinn – Irish Club |
| 2006 | Tony and Cecilia Bray – Irish Theatre Players, Irish Club & Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc |
| 2010 | Colm O’Doherty – Irish History and Literature |
| 2011 | Fred and Lilly Rea – Irish Community WA |
| 2012 | Liam Barry – JB O’Reilly Commemoration |
| 2013 | Denis and Patricia Bratton – Australian Irish Heritage Association WA Inc |
| 2016 | Joan Ross – Claddagh Association |
| 2017 | Michael Manning – Shamrock Rovers Perth |
| 2018 | Peter McKenna – Claddagh Association, GAA and Irish Golf |
| 2019 | Frank Murphy – Broadcaster and Theatre |
| 2020 | Paul Tanham – Irish Club and Rose of Tralee |
| 2021 | Sean O’Casey – GAA |
AIHA acknowledge the support of