Two Northside groups are the pride of Ireland

TWO Northside groups picked up top awards at this year’s national Pride Of Place Gala Awards Ceremony that took place last week in Ennis, Co Clare.

Clareville Centre in Glasnevin took the winning prize in the cities competition under the Age Friendly Community Initiative category.

The judges said the Northside centre had captured their hearts and minds and described those involved in the community as “an excellent caring group of highly committed people from all walks of life”.

“It demonstrated what the judges believe is a model of best practice in caring for the elderly in their own place,” a spokesperson for the judges said.

“Here was attention to all aspects of the older person’s needs in a dignified and high quality location. The emphasis on detail and the provision of real opportunities for care staff to develop their skills make this project special.”

Blessington Street Basin Community took runner-up place in the Cities Competition under the category for neighbourhoods with between 1,000 and 2,000 people.

Pride of Place Liaison Officer, Bernie Lillis, congratulated the two local groups on their success.

“These awards are about acknowledging in a meaningful way the work and dedication the volunteers  put in over the years,” she said.

“I’m delighted the two groups are taking home prizes that are so well deserved.”

Community Development Officer, Niall Byrnes, who has worked with the groups, said Pride of Place has greatly assisted the Berkeley Road, Phibsborough and Glasnevin areas in bringing about major local improvements both in the community and environmentally.

“These improvements will considerably help the local 2016 celebrations to join in with the O’Connell Street and Glasnevin Cemeteries National Events,” he added.