2009 Pride of Place Award Winners Announced

The winners of the 7th Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition were announced last night at the annual award ceremony in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle County Down. The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, MLA announced the winners at the gala ceremony, which was hosted by Down District Council.

Peter Sheridan Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland said:

“The unique all-island Pride of Place competition has a positive effect on communities throughout the island of Ireland. It highlights local authorities commitment to supporting groups who undertake initiatives to improve their communities. Although there can only be one winner in each category, tonight is a opportunity to recognise and celebrate the efforts of all groups.

” Given the economic climate, we have been delighted with the interest there has been in this year’s competition. It is an indication of the flourishing community spirit there is around the island of Ireland. Tonight is our opportunity to recognise and celebrate those within our community who do so much but who rarely get the recognition they deserve.”

During the evening, the Minster paid tribute to all the participating groups who work tirelessly to create and promote pride in their cities, towns and villages.

The Pride of Place Competition recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area. It differs from other similar projects in that they specifically recognise the involvement of the local community in all aspects of rural and urban regeneration including, promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage and environmental awareness.

The Pride of Place competition springs from Co-operation Ireland's work with Local Authorities on a cross-border basis through the Local Authority All Island Steering Forum. This forum established a wide range of projects. One of these projects was the Pride of Place Initiative. This initiative expertly guided by Chairman, Tom Dowling grew from strength to strength and has proved to be a run away success in terms of interest and participation from local community groups and their respective Local Authorities. We could safely now say that this is a flagship initiative of the forum.

Nominating bodies including Local Authorities from practically every county in Ireland have nominated groups in their local area. Each of the nominees demonstrated what can be achieved when people work together to enhance and change parts of their area for the good of the whole community.

Prizes were awarded to the winner and two runners-up in six population and three themed categories. Awards in the separate cities competition and a number of special awards were also announced.

The winners are

Category 1.    Winner: 	Camross, County Laois
		Runner up: 	Old Leighlin, County Carlow
		Runner up: 	Ballintogher, County Sligo

Category 2.	Winner: 	Clonfert Meelick, Co Galway
		Runner up: 	Portmagee, Co Kerry
		Runner up: 	Broadford, Co Limerick


Category 3.	Winner: 	Glin, Co Limerick
		Runner up: 	Rathgormack, Co Waterford
		 

Category 4.	Winner: 	Kilbride Parish, Co Roscommon
		Runner up: 	Millisle Village, Co Down
		Runner up: 	Dunmanway, Co Cork


Category 5.	Winner:	 Greystones, Co Wicklow
		Runner up:	 Richhill Village, Co Armagh


Category 6.    Winner: 	           Broomfield and District Residents’ Association, Co Meath
Runner Up: 	The Lodge Management Committee, Castlewellan, Co   Down.
		Runner Up:	Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, Co Mayo.

		
Category 7.	Winner:	 Kilnaboy Youth Club, Co Clare
		Runner up: 	Loughglynn Foróige Club, Co Roscommon	
Runner up: 	The CRIB Youth Health Café - Foróige, Co Sligo.

		
Category 8.	Winner: 	East Meets West, Co Longford
		Runner up: 	Magnet Women’s Group, Scarva, Co Down.
		Runner up: 	Habinteg Housing Association, Lifford, Co Donegal


		
Category 9.	Winner: 	Oileán Árainn Mhóir (Arranmore Island), Co Donegal
		
 


Housing Estates Category: 
Winner: 	Iveragh Park Housing Estate, Killorglin, Co Kerry
Runner up:  	Riverview Housing Estate, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Runner up: 	Cranmore Housing Estate, Sligo Town


Special Endeavour Award: 
Winner: 	Knockatallon Development

Special Endeavour Award: 
Winner: 	Carlow Regional Youth Services.



CITIES

Category 1.	Winner:      	 North Belfast Women’s Initiative and Support Project 
		Runner up:  	Welcome English Language Centre, Cork City



Category 2.	Winner:    	Ballygall, Dublin City 
Runner up: 	Bishopstown Senior Social Centre, Cork City



Category 3.	Winner: 	Caw Community Groups, Londonderry
Runner up:  	Larchville Lisduggan Neighbourhood, Waterford City.
Runner Up: 	St Munchin’s Parish, Limerick City


		
Category 4.	Winner:      	ATLAS Women’s Centre, Lisburn
		Runner up: 	Fáilte Feirste Thiar (literally Welcome to West Belfast).

		

Category 5.	Winner: 	St Mary’s AID Ltd, Limerick City
Runner up: 	Creggan Country Park, Derry City



Winning Local Authority:  Laois County Council