Kildare carer honoured at 2026 Carer of the Year Awards

A Kildare carer from Right at Home Kildare has been honoured with the Core Values Award at Right at Home’s 2026 Carer of the Year Awards, held recently at the Salthill Hotel, Galway.

The award recognises Gillian Domican's commitment to demonstrating the values and behaviours at the heart of Right at Home, celebrating her contribution to providing compassionate, respectful and person-centred care.

The annual Right at Home Carer of the Year Awards celebrate the care professionals who make a meaningful difference to the lives of their clients every day, helping older people and adults with disabilities to continue living safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes.

Established in 2020, the awards recognise the exceptional dedication, compassion and professionalism demonstrated by carers across the Right at Home network. Nominations are submitted by those who experience their work first-hand, including clients, clients’ families, colleagues, managers and supervisors.

Gillian’s recognition highlights the important contribution of care professionals working in communities across Kildare, supporting individuals and families with care that places dignity, trust and independence at its centre.

The ceremony brought together carers, colleagues and representatives from Right at Home offices across Ireland to recognise the individuals and teams whose commitment makes a meaningful difference to those they support.

The evening also saw Martha Avorgbedor from Right at Home Mayo/Roscommon crowned the overall 2026 Carer of the Year, marking the second consecutive year that the Mayo/Roscommon office has secured the national title.

Martha was selected from seven regional finalists, having been recognised for the warmth, patience and reassurance she brings to her clients, alongside her professionalism, dependability and commitment to treating every individual with dignity and respect.

A number of additional awards were presented during the ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions from across the organisation.

• Sophia Ahiakwah from Right at Home Galway received the Rising Star Award, recognising her impact and contribution as an emerging member of the team.
• Jomon Raju from Cork received the Above and Beyond Award, recognising his commitment to going the extra mile for clients and colleagues. Right at Home Cork also celebrated its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of providing care and support to the local community.
• Sinead Kelly from Dublin South/Wicklow received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her contribution and accomplishments within the Right at Home team.
• Right at Home Dublin South/Wicklow was named Office of the Year, recognising the team's outstanding commitment to delivering quality care and supporting clients and families in their community.

Speaking at the ceremony, David McKone, Managing Director of Right at Home Ireland, said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our carers who are this year’s award recipients. These awards give us an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary work taking place in homes and communities across Ireland every day, and to celebrate the people whose compassion and commitment make that possible.”

The awards come as Right at Home continues to expand its teams nationwide, with the home care provider planning to create 500 new jobs across its network by the end of 2026 in response to growing demand for homecare services across Ireland.

Right at Home is a leading provider of in-home care and support for older people and adults with disabilities across Ireland, with locally owned and operated offices across Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Cork, Wexford, Louth and Waterford. The organisation enables people to live safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes.