In the 2016 nationwide Pride of Place competition, which shines a light on the work of communities across the island of Ireland, who came out tops?
Pride of Place is an all-island competition, set up in 2003 to acknowledge the hard work communities are carrying out every day all over Ireland. It focuses on and rewards people who are coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities.
“The competition is about showing respect and inclusion for every sector in our communities – young, old, rich or poor – and creating communities to which the people are proud to say they belong,” says Tom Dowling, former Meath county manager, and chairman and founder of the Pride of Place initiative.
The 2016 winners hail from all corners of the island, from Cork to Antrim, and represent communities of all sizes and varieties. They came together in Belfast on 26 November of last year to celebrate.
Main competition winners
Population 0–300: Broadford Development Association, Co Limerick
Population 300–1000: Clonbur Community Council, Co Galway
Population 1,000–2,000: Borris Tidy Towns, Co Carlow
Population 2,000–5,000: Moate Action Group, Co Westmeath
Population over 5,000: Douglas Community Association, Co Cork
Age-Friendly Community Initiative: McAuley Place, Naas, Co Kildare
Community Social Enterprise: Meath River Rescue, Co Meath
Community Business Enterprise Initiative: Ferbane Food Campus, Co Offaly
Communities Reaching Out Initiative: Integration and Support Unit, Waterford City, Co Waterford
Housing Estates: Three Drives Family Resource Centre, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
Islands and Coastal Communities: Clogherhead Development Group, Co Louth
Urban Neighbourhoods: Dominic’s Community Centre, Tallaght, Co Dublin
Cities
Neighbourhoods under 1,000: Glór na Móna, Belfast
Neighbourhoods 1,000–2,000: Stoneybatter Heritage Village, Dublin
Neighbourhoods Over 2,000: East Belfast Community Development Agency, Belfast
Age-Friendly Community Initiative: Mahon CDP Agelink, Cork
Community Enterprise Initiative: Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, Derry
Community Arts Initiative: Blue Teapot Theatre Company, Galway
Special awards
Cities Competition
Play Resource Warehouse, Belfast
Saol Café, Galway
Main Competition
Liskennett Farm – St Joseph’s Foundation, Granagh, Co Limerick
Mulhuddart Motocross Project, Fingal Co Dublin
Trinity Arts Project, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Wexford Marine Watch, Co Wexford
Special Council Award
Dublin City Council
