We don’t often have it within our remit to give the gift of life - but one Oranmore woman has come closer than most because she has just become the first female in the west of Ireland to donate 100 pints of blood.

Mary Hynes Walsh began donating blood back in the 1970’s at Downhill Hotel in Ballina, and she has donated three times a year ever since to top the 100 mark last May. And last Friday she was honoured at an awards ceremony in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris.

Last Friday night, Mary, along with three other Galway men, was awarded for her outstanding achievement of donating 100 pints of blood, which took her 30 years to complete.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune about donating blood, Mary, who has donated a total of 101 pints of blood to date, said she was delighted that her blood has helped save lives.

“I am so proud to be able to help so many people by donating blood. Just the last day I learned that the 101 pints of blood I have donated over the last 30 years have saved 303 lives, which makes me very happy.”

See full story and other award recipients in this week's Connacht Tribune.