VOLUNTEERS from two Northside areas were celebrating recently when they were rewarded for their achievements in the local community.
At the 2017 IPB Pride of Place Awards, Grange Woodbine in Raheny took top prize in Category 2 of the Cities Competition – Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages (population of 1,000–2,000); and The Courts, Ballymun took runner-up prize in Category 1 – Urban Neighbourhoods/ Villages (population under 1,000).
The winners of the awards, held recently in association with Co-operation Ireland, were announced at a gala awards ceremony in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
Remarking on Grange Woodbine, the judges considered the community “a quality example of what is possible to achieve when people of vision dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for all residents”.
“As a result of concerted efforts over 50 years this closely-knit community has amazing infrastructure and sporting facilities,” the judges said.
“The self-supporting community centre currently caters for three generations of users.”
The judges heard from a wide range of community activists all working under the direction of an executive committee.
“This was a superb entry in this year’s Pride of Place,” they added.
Peter Sheridan, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland, said the awards ceremony is an ideal opportunity for organisations to come together and learn from each other.
“This will be important as we prepare for the inevitable changes Brexit will bring to the island of Ireland,” said Mr Sheridan.
“I congratulate everyone who was nominated but I extend special congratulations to those groups who were triumphant.”