Sinéad Hoey: Quiet heroism
The Anglo-Celt Community & Sports Awards, in partnership with Mannok and Kingspan, will take place this Thursday evening in the Cavan Crystal Hotel. Sinéad Hoey from Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care is a finalist for Carer of the Year...
For Sinéad Hoey, a nurse attached to Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care, her “job” is not just about easing pain - it’s about preserving dignity, honouring stories, and helping those often at their most vulnerable and their families to find peace.
A seasoned caregiver who worked as a children’s nurse for 23 years before switching her attentions to end of life care, Sinéad is dedicated to supporting individuals with terminal illnesses, providing them with an opportunity to remain at home surrounded by the people and memories they cherish most.
“Everyone does a job. It’s my job, so I don’t necessarily see it any other way,” Sinéad says humbly.
But the Cavan Town native is well aware her role offers far more than mere medical support. “I feel very privileged” she says of the trust so many place in her hands.
Sinéad could look after as many as 30 patients per day. She is a calming presence in one of life’s most difficult moments- administering care with gentleness, offering a non-judgemental ear, and ensuring her patients feel respected and valued to the very end.
“It’s not about death,” reflects Sinéad, having also had the experience of being there for those closest to her.
Mum-of-two Sinéad was nominated as ‘Carer of the Year’ at last year’s The Anglo-Celt Community and Sports Awards. Her sister had only died from illness the week before, and with others, Sinéad was there with her on that journey.
Sinéad didn’t know whether she’d go to the awards or not, but is glad she did. She found the experience of being surrounded by such positivity and stories of others giving of themselves to people to be “inspiring”.
Rarely has there every been a candidate as popular as Sinéad with the public. Once again she received multiple nominations - dozens even.
In multiple, heart-felt testimonials, families relay the support and care shown to them and their loved ones by Sinéad during some of the most difficult times in their lives. She is often described as an angel in disguise.
“I’d never want to see anyone stuck,” says Sinéad, who is the only Cavan person on the local palliative care nursing team.
“I’m just walking with people on a path we’ll all inevitably face one day.”
With special thanks to our partners and sponsors in these awards - Mannok, Kingspan, Sherry FitzGerald Declan Woods, Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dovida, Kyte Powertech, CICS Silo Clean and Joe Rowley Windows