Northside estate shows Pride of Place

DONAGHMEDE Estate was
looking particularly picturesque last week as local residents pulled out all
the stops to impress the judges of the All-Ireland Pride of Place Competition.

Green areas and verges were
trimmed and tidy, hanging baskets and flowerbeds provided splashes of summer
colour, while shops, signs and house fronts were freshly painted in a bid to
claim an award in the prestigious contest.

Donaghmede Estate was
nominated for the first time ever as an entrant in the 2011 competition by
Dublin City Council last April, following an extensive process of examination
and selection by the local authority.

Judging season began in
mid-June in communities across the country, but August 17 was D-Day for
Donaghmede when a panel of Pride of Place inspectors came to scrutinise the
estate at close quarters.

The results of the
competition will be announced in November, but in the meantime Donaghmede
residents and traders can rest on their laurels for having brought out the best
of their neighbourhood this summer.

It was no coincidence that
Donaghmede Estate’s selection for the nationwide competition came during the
same year in which the long-standing residents’ association, DERA, celebrated
its 40th anniversary.

The close-knit community
marked the occasion with a week-long festival in July, which DERA chairperson
Bernard Byrne said took a year of planning.

Speaking to Northside
People, Mr Byrne said the hard work done by the association and many volunteers
paid off with a fantastic week of musical, sporting and fun events.

“It was an outstanding
success,

? he stated.

“There were so many
highlights, but one of them was the opening days which the Lord Mayor attended.

“We also had a Senior
Citizens’ Mystery Tour, a Mass of Remembrance, a Gala Dinner Dance in the
Hilton Hotel and a performance by the Dublin City Concert Band on Cardonagh
Lawn.

?

Other features of the
Donaghmede Estate Residents’ Association anniversary celebrations included a
local history talk, a dog show, a karate display, a ballet performance and live
rock music.

“People were working all
year around both on the anniversary festival and to prepare for the Pride of
Place competition, but we are blessed with the community we have here,

? added
Mr Byrne.

“Everyone recognises the
hard work that was put in and appreciates it.

?

Whether Donaghmede Estate is
rewarded in the All-Ireland Pride of Place Competition or not, it certainly
deserves a medal for one of the best examples of community spirit in North
Dublin.