Two Co. Meath women are among 10 volunteers nationwide whose work will be showcased and celebrated at a prestigious function next week.

The Ireland Involved Awards will honour ten individuals in ten different categories at a dinner hosted by the Taoiseach's Office in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham Dublin, on 5th November.

President Mary McAleese will be joining the host Claire Byrne and will present the overall award to the 2009 Irish Volunteer of the Year.

The winner will go on to represent Ireland at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on Saturday, 5th December, International Volunteer Day.

Among the chosen 10 is Mary T. Cleary of Amen, Navan. She founded Amen almost 12 years ago and since then has work tirelessly to provide a confidential helpline, information and a support service for male victims of domestic abuse and their children.

Being a nurse in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, Mary came across many men who were victims of domestic abuse and had nowhere to turn. She decided to hold a public meeting for men to come forward and speak of their experiences of domestic violence. The number of men who attended the meeting was astounding.

Even more astonishing was the number of men who stood up and spoke about their personal experience of domestic abuse.

Amen now employs two full-time support workers, a part-time court accompanier, an office manager and a clerical worker.

Penny McGowan, the second Meath volunteer chosen, is the founder and chairperson of the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk, which will take place for the first time this September around Girley Bog, raising funds for Action Breast Cancer.

Penny was inspired by the UK Pink Ribbon Walk and decided to establish a similar event in Kells, having had family and friends affected by, and lost to, breast cancer. The Pink Ribbon Walk has engendered a strong feeling of community spirit in the town. Her intention was two-fold when she first raised the idea of the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk - firstly to raise funds for a very worthy cause, and, secondly, to raise local awareness of the fabulous amenity for walkers, the Girley Bog Eco Walk, which she was instrumental in establishing. She has surpassed her target of 500 walkers with over 600 walkers and runners signed up to participate.