Pride of the Liberties

A NUMBER of local Southside groups were big winners at the recent Pride of Place awards in Kilkenny.

The Liberties Cultural Association were honoured in the ‘Communities Reaching Out’ category by the judges for their “incredible work” in helping people dealing with poverty in the area and for their efforts to keep the history of the area alive.

“The extraordinary approach in keeping the culture and history alive through highly qualified local people who are truly connected to the area left two new honourable Liberties libertarians feeling very proud indeed,” the citation read.

Firhouse was runner up in the Urban Neighbourhood category of the housing estates awards, while St Patrick’s Rowing Club, Ringsend, to lifted the trophy as winners of the best Urban Neighbourhood with a population between 1,000 and 2,000.

Meadowlands in Dún Laoghaire were runners up in the best Housing Estate category, while the National Maritime Museum, Dún Laoghaire, received a special award for their work in preserving local history.

Over 900 representatives from counties across Ireland gathered in the Lyrath Estate Hotel for the awards, hosted by Kilkenny County Council.

Sponsored by IPB, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 18 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

Pride of Place founder and Chairman, Tom Dowling, said: “These awards continue to be as important as ever after all these years and their purpose has never changed.

“They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary and the inspirational, tireless work that is being done by local communities all over Ireland as they strive to make their place a better one in which to live for all people.”