All-Ireland Pride of Place Award for Dunshaughlin

Dunshaughlin has taken a top prize in the annual IPB Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Awards, which were announced at a glittering gala event in Ennis, Co Clare. More than 800 people from across the island filled the venue to hear the winners announced by RTE’s Ciana Campbell.

Dunshaughlin took joint top place in the main competition in the category for neighbourhoods with populations of more than 2000 people.

In their citation about Dunshaughlin, the judges said: “There was an obvious interest and respect for the rich heritage of the area. However, it was the manner in which the community had absorbed a large influx of new residents into the area and involved both new and old in an impressive range of facilities and activities that most impressed the judges”.

The Pride of Place Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of people who work tirelessly to create pride in their local area and a better place for local residents. Forty-three groups, ranging from those in small rural communities to groups in inner-city housing estates, took winning or runner up positions in the main and cities competitions. A further six groups received Special Awards, while one local authority received a special Council Award.

Each year, practically every local authority on the island of Ireland nominate groups for doing exceptional work in their communities. This year 102 groups were nominated by their respective local authority. A panel of highly experienced judges visited every nominated group and then selected the winners and runners up. Since the first Pride of Place competition 13 years ago, thousands of people have been recognised for the outstanding contribution they make to Irish society.

Last night’s winners received their awards from Councillor Mary Howard, leas cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, Ronan Foley, chief executive, IPB, John Bruton, former taoiseach and deputy Chairman Co-operation Ireland, Tom Dowling, chairman, Pride of Place Committee, and George Jones, chairman, IPB.

 Ronan Foley said: ”IPB Insurance is proud to be associated as title sponsors of the IPB Pride of Place Awards and more importantly what it represents. I firmly believe that it is essential that we recognise communities and the thousands of volunteers across the island of Ireland that give of themselves selflessly every day. As a mutual insurer that insures local authorities and their communities across the island of Ireland, these awards are an excellent fit. It is clear that working together and getting things done increases peoples’ pride in where they live and in turn helps build vibrant communities. All those nominated epitomise the sense of community spirit that can be seen all across Ireland, with people committed to creating positive civic change in their respective communities.”

Tom Dowling said: ”Even after 13 years, I and the rest of the judges continue to be amazed at how communities from all over the island demonstrate their amazing capacity to care for the people in their communities and respect their heritage, culture and environment. I also pay particular thanks to the local authorities all over the island of Ireland, Co-operation Ireland and IPB Insurance for their ongoing support for this unique community competition. ”

Peter Sheridan, Chief Executive, Co-operation Ireland said: “For Co-operation Ireland, the Pride of Place competition embodies the ethos of the organisation and it shows how working together ordinary people can make a real positive change on society. I congratulate everyone who participated in year’s competition, but especially the winners.

“We would not be able to run such a successful competition without the support of our sponsors IPB, our judging panel, the Pride of Place Committee and everyone who works to make it a success. I would like to thank Clare County Council for hosting this wonderful awards ceremony, and giving us the opportunity to celebrate each other’s achievements”.

Full list of winners and runners-up are:

Cities Competition

Population Category - Neighbourhoods Under 1,000

Winner: Cregagh, East Belfast

Population Category - Neighbourhoods 1,000 – 2,000

Runner up: Blessington Street Basin Community, Dublin City

Winner: Ballyphehane, Cork City

Population Category - Neighbourhoods Over 2,000

Runner up: Tramore, Waterford

Winner: The Poleglass Community, Belfast City

Age Friendly Community Initiative

Runner up: Engage with Age – HOPE Project, Belfast City

Runner up: Friendly Call, Cork City

Winner: Clareville Centre, Dublin City

Young People in the Community Initiative

Runner up: Ballybane Traveller Integrated Youth Project, Galway City

Winner: Meitheal Mara – Bádóireacht Initiative, Cork City

Community Health Initiative

Runner up: West Community Garden, Galway City

Winner: Deed Project, Derry City

Main Competition

Population Category Up tp 300

Runner up: Cloone, Co Leitrim

Runner up: Tinryland, Co Carlow

Winner: Kilteely, Co Limerick

Population Category 300 - 1000

Runner up: Ballyboughal, Fingal Council area

Runner up: Kilteevan, Co Roscommon

Winner: Doonbeg, Co Clare

Population Category 1000 - 2000

Runner up: Carlingford, Co Louth

Runner up: Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim

Winner: Castlemartyr, Co Cork

Population Category Over 2000

Runner up: Listowel Town, Co Kerry

Runner up: Randalstown, Co Antrim & Newtownabbey

Joint Winner: Dunshaughlin, Co Meath

Joint Winner: Strandhill, Co Sligo

Age Friendly Community Initiative

Runner up: Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association, Co Galway

Runner up: Strabane Community Project, Co Tyrone

Winner: Carnew Community Care, Co Wicklow

Young People in the Community Initiative

Runner up: Monkstown Community Association, Co Antrim

Runner up: Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg, Co Tipperary

Winner: Largy College YSI Group of 2014 -2015, Co Monaghan

Community Health Initiative

Runner up: Jigsaw Offaly, Co Offaly

Runner up: Tiglin, Co Wicklow

Winner: Coalisland & Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership – Health, Co Tyrone

Housing Estates Category

Runner up: Scanlon Park, Co Limerick

Runner up: Willow Park Estate, Co Westmeath

Winner: Cois Cairn Estate, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

Islands & Coastal Communities Category

Runner up: Dungarvan & Helvick Head RNLI Fundraising Branch, Co Waterford

Runner up: Ghort a’Choirce (Gortahork), Co Donegal

Winner: Inis Mór, (Inishmore Island), Co Galway

Urban Neighbourhoods Category

Runner up: Cabinteely, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council Area

Runner up: Mayfield /Glengormley, Co Antrim

Winner: Swinford, Co Mayo

Special Award Edgeworthstown District Development Assoc. Co Longford

Special Award Oaklands Lake, Co Wexford

Special Award Roscommon Lions Club, Co Roscommon

Special Award The Right Key, Co Down

Special Award Kerry Traveller Health and Community Development Project HAZ, Co Kerry

Special Award Mayo Masters GAA Team, Co Mayo

Council Community Engagement Award:

Winner: Derry and Strabane District Council