Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has introduced a new annual volunteer recognition award acknowledging the significant contribution volunteers make to the festival.
Sponsored by Castleacre Insurance, the inaugural BVOF Castleacre Volunteer Recognition Award was presented during the official opening ceremony of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2026 in Millennium Park, Lismore by Cllr. John Pratt, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City & County.
The new award has been established to recognise an individual volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, generosity, reliability and ambassadorial spirit in support of the festival over a sustained period.
Volunteers play a central role across Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, welcoming audiences, assisting front of house teams, supporting artists and guests, and helping create the warm atmosphere for which the festival has become known.
This year’s inaugural recipient is Lismore native Helen Hardway, who has worked tirelessly with the festival for many years, helping drive operations forward with positivity, humour and reliability. Known for running a tight ship behind the scenes, Helen has become a hugely valued and familiar presence within the wider festival team and volunteer community.
Helen commented, “I am totally overwhelmed to receive the volunteer award and really it is not just an award for me – it reflects all the effort that the rest of the volunteers put in, turning up each night of the opera with a smile on their faces, warmth and good humour, so thank you very much to them. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community. I have been volunteering with Blackwater Valley Opera Festival for ten years and it has been wonderful to be part of the team and to see the Festival grow each year. It really is an amazing achievement for everyone involved. Over the years I have got to know many of the patrons that return each year and I look forward to meeting them and interacting with them. I consider myself so lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer at this amazing event in our locality.”
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2026 runs from 26 May – 1 June across Lismore, Dromore Yard and venues throughout the Blackwater Valley, presenting opera, concerts, recitals and education and outreach activity. www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie
Pictured: Eamonn Carroll Festival Director, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, with Helen Hardway, inaugural recipient of the BVOF Castleacre Volunteer Recognition Award, Mark Hewlett, Director, Castleacre Insurance (Ireland) Services Ltd, sponsor of the BVOF Castleacre Volunteer Recognition Award, Cllr John Pratt, Deputy Lord Mayor of Waterford City & County. 
Matt Brooker
