Mary Pender and Sinéad McMahon named Fellows at Annual Awards Ceremony

Mary Pender and Sinéad McMahon named Fellows at Annual Awards Ceremony

Mary Pender (FISCP) and Sinéad Mc Mahon (FISCP) 

Mary Pender and Sinéad McMahon are the Society’s two newest Fellows and were recognised for their achievements at our Annual Awards Ceremony, held recently at the Limerick Strand Hotel.

Fellowship is the Society’s highest professional honour, and recognises members who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the physiotherapy profession and to the wider community. This year’s Fellowship awards celebrated leadership, service, innovation and long‑standing commitment to advancing the profession.

Mary Pender was recognised for more than four decades of contribution to physiotherapy practice, education and leadership. A national and international leader in specialist physiotherapy and acupuncture, her work has had a lasting impact on clinical practice, professional education and innovation, including the establishment of the Acupuncture Clinical Interest Group (CPA) and the National College of Acupuncture.

Sinéad McMahon received Fellowship in recognition of her exceptional leadership in physiotherapy practice education. Over more than 20 years, she has played a key role in shaping clinical education nationally through her work at UCD and as Ireland’s first Director of Clinical Education in Physiotherapy. Her contribution has directly influenced the education and professional development of over 1,800 graduates and strengthened national approaches to practice education and accreditation.

The ceremony also recognised excellence across the profession through a wide range of additional awards. Student awards included the Anne O’Brien Prize, which acknowledges outstanding clinical performance in final‑year students, and the  Student Research Prize, recognising excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate research across physiotherapy programmes nationwide.

The Innovation Awards, sponsored by Arachas, recognised novel approaches to improving patient care in both public and private practice settings. The Rising Star Award, supported by BTL, celebrated early‑career physiotherapists who have demonstrated leadership, professional commitment and potential to shape the future of the profession. Awards were also presented by the International Affairs Committee in recognition of significant contributions to international physiotherapy collaboration and engagement.

 President Gillian Walker presented the awards on the evening, acknowledging the achievements of recipients across all categories. The ceremony opened with a welcome address from Emma Stokes , setting the tone for an evening focused on excellence, leadership and professional contribution. Proceedings were chaired by Rachel Maguire, with the support of the Professional Development Unit  David Kennedy, alongside Clare Grimes Dooley and ISCP staff, whose work was central to the organisation and delivery of the event.

The Society congratulates all award recipients and thanks those involved in the judging and presentation of the awards. Thanks also to BTL, who sponsored the award ceremony.

See Photos from the Society Awards 2026 here