Mullingar honoured at all-Ireland community awards
Mullingar lifted two major prizes at the Pride of Place community awards yesterday Saturday evening.
The town’s commitment to musical heritage led it to claim the ‘District with a Population over 5000’ category, and the ‘Best Housing Estate’ gong went to the Grange estate.
Representatives from Westmeath County Council joined community volunteers at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin to hear judges praise their efforts to build community cohesion in the town.
In their remarks, the judges said they were charmed at the creativity and talent from a wide spectrum of ages and abilities in events on the day of the judging visit.
“The celebration of a particular musical heritage is a strong unifying force in this town and the overall feeling was of a vibrant and positive community, which will have the capacity to take on the large challenges which lie ahead.”
They went on to praise The Grange Housing Estate for building “strong relationships with a variety of agencies, supporting the vulnerable and achieving a high standard of cleanliness in the estate itself. The ethos is one of inclusivity, positive attitude, clear sense of identity and the pride is palpable.”
The awards, hosted by Marty Whelan, took place in front of 400 community volunteers.
Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 20 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in community development.
It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.
President Michael D Higgins, joint patron of Co-operation Ireland, said: “The Pride of Place awards are a most important initiative, reminding us that creating societies that are ethical and inclusive is a task for all of our citizens, of all ages and circumstances.”
Pride of Place founder and chairman Tom Dowling said: “It is 20 amazing years since the first awards ceremony and the ethos of the awards has never changed. It continues to be about acknowledging and recognising in a meaningful manner the important caring work of all our communities as they continue their daily journey of making the path of life easier for all.”
Dr Christopher Moran, chairman of Co-operation Ireland, said his organisation has no other programme that embodies their ethos better than Pride of Place. “We work to build relationships across the island and Pride of Place plays a critical role in that work. The impact the awards have had in towns and villages since they started cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.
George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance said: “On behalf of our local authority members we are proud to be associated with the Pride of Place awards as title sponsors. This competition provides a fitting platform to recognise the great strides volunteers across the island of Ireland are making in building more sustainable and liveable communities.”