The Benemerenti Medal was given to Norah Breslin during a ceremony held in her local church in the Kilcullen parish in County Kildare.

Pope Francis bestows the Benemerenti Medal on clergy and laypeople in recognition of their "long and exceptional service" to the Catholic Church.

Ms. Breslin grew up in Yorkshire, England, where she was born. Later, when she was in her twenties, she and her husband—who was born in County Donegal—moved to Ireland.

Extremely musical Ms. Breslin and her husband relocated in County Kildare, where she gave birth to eleven children. She sought solace in the local church choirs as a young mother.

As the Kilcullen parish choir mistress retired in the 1960s, Ms. Breslin was requested to fill in as organist and director.

She kept up with modern composers while simultaneously teaching and performing Latin masses and Gregorian chant.

Her entire life was devoted to the choir.

In the 1970s, Ms. Breslin also started a local chapter of Macra na Tuaithe, which subsequently changed its name to Foróige.

This occurred during a period of profound social transformation in the nation.

The Benemerenti Medal was applied for by the previous parish priest to the Vatican, citing Ms. Breslin's unselfish and generous service to the church, organ, parish choir, and community.