Clare County Council has nominated five projects to participate in Cooperation Ireland’s annual Pride of Place Competition 2008.
Gleann an Óir, Tullyvarraga, Shannon; Tuamgraney Development Association; The Burren Centre, Kilfenora; Obair Afterschool Project, Newmarket on Fergus; and Seanoirí Iaichtín Naofa, West Clare Resource Centre, Miltown Malbay, will participate in the All-Ireland competition, which aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that community groups make to society.
Pride of Place, first piloted in the summer of 2003, came from the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum - a forum that encourages strategic, sustainable approaches to cross border co-operation. Since 2003, the following communities and projects in Clare have taken part: Kilrush, Kilkee, Ennis, Labasheeda, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Ballynacally, Scariff, O’Briensbridge/Montpelier, the Cloughleigh Rapid Pitch, the Michael Cusack Centre, Carron and Kilmihil Community Development.
Commenting on the nominations and County Clare’s previous nominations, Cllr. Tommy Brennan, Chairperson of the Environment, Emergency Services & Consumer Protection Strategic Policy Committee, “We were very pleased with the quality of responses we received from our call to community groups and organisations to participate in this year’s competition. The depth and breath of voluntary activity underway in communities across Clare was very evident in the applications received.” Cllr. Brennan continued, “We are confident that the nominated projects best represent these efforts and look forward to County Clare achieving success again in this years competition, following on from the great success of the Cloughleigh Rapid Pitch, last year.”
“This competition focuses on local communities, both north and south of the border, coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. Groups have the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and learn from others and further promote their activities”, Cllr. Brennan added.
One group may be entered in any individual population category and one entry in each of the three designated themes of the ‘single issue’ category, providing the total number nominated in all categories does not exceed five. Category 1 caters for villages of up to 200 people, category 2 is for population centres of 200-500 people, category 3 features towns and villages with a population of between 500-1000 people, category 4 is for centres of between 1000-2000 people, category 5 includes centres of between 2000-5000 people, and category 6 caters for towns and cities with a population in excess of 5,000.
The structure of this year’s contest has been altered to include designated themes under the single-issue category, including ‘Social Care – Services for the Elderly’, ‘Community Facility’ (Built Facility, Community driven), and ‘Care of the Environment’ (with emphasis on innovation and sustainability). Ms. Nicola Cullinan, Pride of Place Co-Coordinator, added, “The competition offers communities the opportunity to showcase the positive contribution that local groups make to the overall enhancement of their localities. This year, we received expressions of interest from towns and villages all over the County. We now look forward to cooperating with the nominees with their preparations ahead of the judging season.”
Judging for ‘Pride of Place 2008’ will take place from Mid June to July 2008. The awards ceremony will be held in November 2008 in Waterford. The winners in each category will receive an exclusive crystal decorative memento, along with a cheque for €2,000. The runners up for each category will receive a framed certificate and a cheque for €500.00. The recipients of special awards will receive a crystal memento.
