Golfer Padraig Harrington was named Irish Person of the Year at the weekend.
The 33rd annual People of the Year awards, which are organised by Rehab and sponsored by Quinn healthcare, also sought to recognise the contributions of less high-profile individuals.
These included a 10-year-old schoolboy from Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, Gerald Killeen, who was named Young Irish Person of the Year after he saved his father's life when he lost his arm in a farmyard accident last May.
Cork-based Maureen Forrest, founder of the Hope foundation which works with street children in Calcutta, India, was named International Person of the Year.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen was guest of honour at the televised awards ceremony in the Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co Dublin, on Saturday.
This year's ceremony also included a special prize in recognition of the role played by four politicians in the creation of a peaceful and democratic solution to the Northern Ireland conflict.
Its recipients were Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former British prime minister Tony Blair, First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly Rev Ian Paisley, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Organisers said that Mr Ahern was unable to attend because of a long-standing prior engagement.
Mr Paisley declined an invitation to attend on the basis that he never accepts awards.
Mr Cowen accepted the award for the peace process on Mr Ahern's behalf, alongside Mr McGuinness.
Christy Moore was named Ireland's greatest living musician following a public vote. He was unable to attend the ceremony but provided a pre-recorded video segment and sent someone to collect his award.
Jane McKenna, who founded the Laura Lynn Children's Hospice Foundation following the deaths of her two daughters from serious illnesses, was also recognised with a Person of the Year award.
The Fáilte Isteach project in Summerhill, Co Meath, which involves older people teaching English to foreign nationals, received a group award.
The founder and former director of the National Children's Choir, Seán Creamer, was recognised for his work in fostering a love of music and choral singing among thousands of primary children.
The award winners were chosen by a committee based on nominations made by members of the public, while Moore's award was decided from a shortlist of the 15 most popular nominees voted for by the Irish public.
Among those who attended the ceremony were the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.
WINNERS: people of the year
Irish Person of the Year:Padraig Harrington
Ireland's Greatest Living Musician:Christy Moore
Young Irish Person of the Year:Gerald Killeen
Special Award:An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, former
British prime minister Tony Blair, First Minister of the Northern
Ireland Assembly, Rev Ian Paisley, and Deputy First Minister Martin
McGuinness
International Person of the Year:Maureen Forrest,
Hope foundation
People of the year:Jane McKenna, Laura Lynn
Children's Hospice Foundation; Seán Creamer, founder and
former director of the National Children's Choir.
Group:Fáilte Isteach project, Summerhill, Co
Meath.