Ballybough nominated for national Digital Town Award

Ballybough in north Dublin has been nominated as a finalist in the Digital Town Awards in the Medium Town category.

The Digital Town Awards promote “awareness, knowledge, use and understanding of digital spaces in Ireland by its citizens, businesses, and communities,” say the organisers.

The awards also highlight the benefits and possibilities of the digital realm and celebrates the achievements of towns and villages throughout Ireland.

Ballybough Pride of Place, a group of local volunteers, meets every Saturday to do a clean-up of the area.

According to the group, its aims are to “assist Dublin City Council in improvements of the area” which includes the “rolling out of a new campaign to #BinThePoo, encouraging dog owners to use the newly provided dog fouling bags which are free in all local shops.

“This initiative has resulted in a big improvement in the footpaths which are now virtually free of dog fouling, resulting in a better experience for wheelchair users, joggers and walkers.”

The group has also created colourful planters for the streets of Ballbough and have been planting wildflower meadow seeds at unused green sites in the area.

Overall, there are 14 awards across numerous categories with a total prize fund of €100,000.

Ballybough is the only Dublin town to be nominated in its category with Ballybough Pride of Place chairperson Laura Williams also being nominated in the Digital Hero category, a prize celebrating people in local communities who are unsung heroes.

According to the organisers of the awards, “a digitally advanced town can help attract investment from new employers from other areas nationally or internationally.

“It can also encourage additional investment from existing employers and support a start-up community.

“The .IE Digital Town Awards also create a great sense of pride in a town for residents and act as a catalyst for creating positive change for all.”

The organisers say that towns could enter digital projects that demonstrated how “digital approaches and projects have contributed to the betterment of the town and the wider town community.

“Projects can relate to enhancements in areas such as health, education, tourism, business, community, social entrepreneurship and innovation, culture and the arts, population growth, employment opportunities, sport, local government, citizen involvement and inclusion, and transport.

The first prize for each category is €9,000 with the runners up receiving €5,000.

The overall winner will also receive a prize of €10,000.

The awards ceremony will take place online on Thursday, June 10 at 4pm.