WATCH: Dermot Whelan named Limerick Person of the Month

DERMOT Whelan has been named the Limerick Person of the Month for his work raising awareness around mental health and mindfulness.

The former Today FM presenter accepted the award at a special presentation at the Clayton Hotel.

While the Ballyclough native said he was delighted to receive the award he said it was bittersweet as his late mother Eithne is not with us to see it.

“It is amazing and I am honoured to receive an award in my home city but I really wish my mum was here to see it.

“This would have absolutely blown her mind. She didn’t care much about anything else I did but if I got into the Limerick Leader that was success in her mind. I have made it!”

The best-selling author joked that he would be sending his pal Cillian Murphy, who has been sweeping the trophies this awards season in Hollywood, a proud photo of his Person of the Month award.

“It will be going on the mantelpiece, definitely. There are no other awards up there so it will be going right in the middle!”

The broadcaster has had a wide ranging career from radio and TV hosting to becoming a best-selling author and mindfulness coach.

In 2021, he released his first book, Mind Full, which is a funny and accessible guide to the world of meditation.

Two years later he took his book on the road where he performed a number of live shows that combined stand up comedy with advice on how to de-stress and bring meditation into our daily lives.

In 2023, Dermot made a major life change when he left Today FM after over 20 years of broadcasting on the station to pursue his career in the area of mindfulness.

The father-of-three said he has been interested in the area of mindfulness and meditation for a long time but it was only after he endured a panic attack 12 years ago that he decided he needed to make a change in his life.

He now travels around Ireland giving talks to companies, community groups and organisations on how to manage anxiety and de-stress.

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It is not just mindfulness that the famous Limerick man has encapsulated in words as he has also released a children's book, Noni and the Great Chawwwklit Mystery.

Noni of course is the cheeky granny who enjoys a Donkey Fords, a younger man and selling chocolate from her trolley to passerbys on the streets of Limerick city.

Noni was a regular character on the Dermot and Dave show on Today FM with her musings on the world often leaving listeners, and Dermot’s co-host, in hysterics.

As if he isn't busy enough, Dermot has just announced The Mind Full Podcast, which will be available from March 4 on all podcast platforms.

The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, media agency Southern, and the Clayton Hotel.