Stoneybatter aiming to be the pride of Ireland

IT’S already the pride of Dublin but Stoneybatter is aiming to go one better later this month when it represents the city at the national Pride of Place awards in Belfast.

The Dublin 7 suburb will be up against areas from the other 31 counties but are hopeful of a successful outcome after months of hard work and dedication from the local community.

Chairperson of Stoneybatter Pride of Place, Joe Costello, says being chosen to represent the capital at the awards on November 26 is a fitting reward for locals who have shown huge commitment to their neighbourhood.

“A lot of work was done in preparing for Pride of Place over the summer months but the real work was done over the years by many of the men and women who make Stoneybatter the close-knit urban village it is, and a quality place in which to live for young and old,” he said.

Sponsored by IPB insurance, Pride of Place is one of the most prestigious community awards on the island of Ireland. The competition is about creating communities where people, young and old, are proud to say they belong.

During the summer, Stoneybatter Pride of Place team made a number of presentations for the Dublin City Adjudication Team in order to earn the right to represent the capital.

The first presentation on The History and Heritage of Stoneybatter given by Eoghan O’Neill, who with his group has done Trojan work in researching the past history of Stoneybatter and bringing it right up to modern times.

Millie Cullivan and Noreen O’Brien then gave a presentation on Arts, Culture and the Built Environment that examined the rich creativity of the people of Stoneybatter as well as the quality of its buildings and interiors.

Local businessman, Dick Pender, from one of the oldest trading families in the area, gave a presentation on the area’s business sector while Liz Pender delivered one on the local environment and how best to improve it.

The Adjudication Team also heard from Joan Whelan who talked about the wide-range of services delivered daily from the Parish Community Centre and Sr Peggy McArdle who outlined the range of services available for the local elderly.

Later Owen Binchy spoke about services for young people in the area while Ciaran Garrett touched on recreational and sporting activities and finally, Paul Horan, Head of Campus Development, gave a presentation on the Grangegorman Campus Development, which is set to transform the character of Stoneybatter for years to come.

On Saturday, November 26, the Stoneybatter Pride of Place team will find out if they’ve managed to win a top award, but whatever the outcome the local community can be proud of their efforts.