Knockainey in County Limerick has been named one of the principal winners in this year’s IPB Pride of Place Competition in association with Co-operation Ireland.
Over 400 people from all over the island of Ireland travelled to Limerick to attend the tenth annual awards ceremony at Thomond Park on Saturday (3 November 2012). This year’s ceremony was hosted by Limerick Local Authorities. Limerick native and RTE 2FM Presenter, Will Leahy acted as compere for the evening and musical entertainment was provided by Crystal Swing.
Pride of Place, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, was first piloted in the summer of 2003. The all-island initiative recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society, including promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage, and environmental awareness.
Knockainey beat off stiff competition from all over the country to be crowned overall winners of Population Category 3. Elsewhere, Castleconnell claimed the second prize in Population Category 4, while St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre in Limerick City picked up first prize in the Active Elderly in the Community Category of the Cities Competition. The winners in each competition category received an exclusive crystal decorative memento, along with a monetary prize. Runners up also received a crystal memento and a monetary prize.
Other Limerick participants in this year’s competition included Lough Gur, St. Senan’s Social Services Foynes and Riverview Housing Estates Kilmallock (Category 9 - Housing Estates).
The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, who joined Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan and Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran in addressing those gathered at the awards ceremony, congratulated Knockainey on achieving national success in the competition.
Cllr. Jerome Scanlan described Knockainey as a wonderful example of what could be achieved by adopting a partnership approach to improving community life. He added: “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. Knockainey’s success has helped to sustain Limerick’s impressive performance in the competition to date.”
According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise, Limerick County Council: “Pride of Place is a great way to acknowledge the hard work and selfless endeavour undertaken by communities from all over the island of Ireland. It is an opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution that community groups make to society and it demonstrates what local groups can achieve. Limerick County Council is delighted to have played its part in supporting local participants in this year’s competition.”
Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said: “I congratulate all the winners of this year’s Pride of Place Awards. The fact that we have reached this 10year milestone is testament to the esteem in which the competition is held, celebrating as it does the achievements and contribution that community groups make to local society. It is important to highlight the wonderful, selfless work that is going on in your communities.”
County Limerick has enjoyed considerable success in the All-Island competition in previous years. Cappamore Housing Estates (2011), Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007) were named overall winners in their respective categories while six other Limerick communities finished as runners up in previous years.
Over 400 people from all over the island of Ireland travelled to Limerick to attend the tenth annual awards ceremony at Thomond Park on Saturday (3 November 2012). This year’s ceremony was hosted by Limerick Local Authorities. Limerick native and RTE 2FM Presenter, Will Leahy acted as compere for the evening and musical entertainment was provided by Crystal Swing.
Pride of Place, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, was first piloted in the summer of 2003. The all-island initiative recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society, including promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage, and environmental awareness.
Knockainey beat off stiff competition from all over the country to be crowned overall winners of Population Category 3. Elsewhere, Castleconnell claimed the second prize in Population Category 4, while St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre in Limerick City picked up first prize in the Active Elderly in the Community Category of the Cities Competition. The winners in each competition category received an exclusive crystal decorative memento, along with a monetary prize. Runners up also received a crystal memento and a monetary prize.
Other Limerick participants in this year’s competition included Lough Gur, St. Senan’s Social Services Foynes and Riverview Housing Estates Kilmallock (Category 9 - Housing Estates).
The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, who joined Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan and Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran in addressing those gathered at the awards ceremony, congratulated Knockainey on achieving national success in the competition.
Cllr. Jerome Scanlan described Knockainey as a wonderful example of what could be achieved by adopting a partnership approach to improving community life. He added: “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. Knockainey’s success has helped to sustain Limerick’s impressive performance in the competition to date.”
According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise, Limerick County Council: “Pride of Place is a great way to acknowledge the hard work and selfless endeavour undertaken by communities from all over the island of Ireland. It is an opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution that community groups make to society and it demonstrates what local groups can achieve. Limerick County Council is delighted to have played its part in supporting local participants in this year’s competition.”
Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said: “I congratulate all the winners of this year’s Pride of Place Awards. The fact that we have reached this 10year milestone is testament to the esteem in which the competition is held, celebrating as it does the achievements and contribution that community groups make to local society. It is important to highlight the wonderful, selfless work that is going on in your communities.”
County Limerick has enjoyed considerable success in the All-Island competition in previous years. Cappamore Housing Estates (2011), Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007) were named overall winners in their respective categories while six other Limerick communities finished as runners up in previous years.
