A 16-year-old girl who suffered a life-threatening illness was voted the Irish Person of the Year at a ceremony at the weekend.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, presented People of the Year Awards in Dublin to seven winners, chosen by the public.
This year a special International Award was made to the late Father Mychal Judge and the Rescue Services in New York. The US Ambassador, Mr Richard Egan, received the award at the ceremony, which was attended by members of the NYPD and New York Fire Department.
RT╔ viewers voted Ms Darβine Mulvihill, from Dublin, Irish Person of the Year while the event was being televised.
Ms Mulvihill contracted a virulent form of meningitis in 1999 and was not expected to survive. She underwent extensive surgery and had her hands and feet amputated. Now she has returned to studying for her Leaving Cert.
Ms Mulvihill's citation said she was voted a person of the year for her incredibly positive attitude, for the inspiration she provided to all those who met her and for her courage and determination throughout her illness.
Father J. Linus Ryan won in recognition of the outstanding success of the visit of the Relics of St Therese, which he brought to Ireland earlier this year.
Ms Kathryn Sinnot received her award for her selfless dedication to highlighting the need to secure equality and rights for people with disabilities through her campaign for her autistic son, Jamie.
Horse-trainer, Mr Aidan O'Brien won in recognition of his outstanding success on behalf of racing and Irish sport in general.
Mr Tony Paget received his award for courage and selflessness last winter when he saved the life of a bus driver whose bus plunged into the River Liffey.
Ms Sorcha McKenna was awarded for her long campaign for longer sentences for sex offenders.