Dublin community groups triumphed at the prestigious Pride of Place community awards on Saturday evening (10th) at a gala ceremony in Armagh city.
Three groups went home with prizes on the night.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon, Alderman Margaret Tinsley and Tom Dowling, Chairperson of Pride of Place present the Category Three – Creative Place Initiative- winners trophy to The Liberties Weavers, Dublin City
The Liberties Weavers (pictured above) won the ‘Community Resilience’ category in the city competition, edging out Cork Community Artlink.
Judges commented on the Weavers “enthusiasm and passion for an activity with a 1,000 year heritage.
“The group is reclaiming an ancient craft and, at the same time, rebranding an historic and wonderful area of their city. This is a developing project with boundless potential.”
Also taking an award on the night was Kingfisher Project, Blarney Park Community Garden which came runner up in the Climate Action & Biodiversity category.
Two Dublin groups were honoured for their work with new communities.
John Kearns – CEO IPB Insurance and Terry O’Neill, Co-operation Ireland present Category Five Communities Welcoming New Communities Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Community Support for Displaced Ukrainians
The ‘Cross Cultural Conversations’ group came runner up in the Communities Welcoming New Communities (city) category, with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Community Support for Displaced Ukrainians (pictured above) runner up in the non-city category.
John Kearns – CEO IPB Insurance and Terry O’Neill, Co-operation Ireland present Category Six Creative Place Initiative runners up prize to Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin
Elsewhere, Blanchardstown’s Draíocht Arts Centre (pictured above) took runner up in the Creative Place Initiative category.
The awards, hosted by UTV’s Pamela Ballentine, took place in in front of 400 community volunteers from across the island.
The awards were delivered in partnership with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 21 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.
It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.
President Michael D. Higgins, who is Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland, said the awards played an important role.
“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.”
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon, Alderman Margaret Tinsley, said, “We were delighted to host this year awards to celebrate and recognise the wonderful work voluntary people and organisations make to community life.
“Congratulations to all award winners, and thank you to everyone who played their part in organising this fantastic event.”
Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said, “I am very proud after 21 glorious years of celebrating so many wonderful Pride of Place communities to be at another Gala Awards night, excellently hosted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
“All our communities recognise the importance of their place and people and are constantly seeking to make it better.
“These awards are now even more important as communities face ever increasing challenges and are responding to them with energy, positivity and commitment.
“The communities deserve their well earned recognition and all participants are truly winners.”
Sir Julian King, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said, “Co-operation Ireland has no other programme that embodies the charity’s 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 across the island since they started 20 years ago cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.
John Hogan, 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.”