Galway community projects were honoured at the the all-Ireland Pride of Place community awards on Monday evening (May 16 ) in Killarney.
Within the City Council area, Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park voluntary group took top spot in the Creative Place Initiative category, with the Claddagh Watch Patrol runners up in the Community Resilience category.
Projects in the County Council which were honoured were the Headford Lace Project which came runner up in the Creative Place Initiative category; while Killannin Development Committee was nominated in the Community Wellbeing Initiative category.
The awards, hosted by RTE’s Marty Whelan, took place in Kerry’s INEC centre with 400 community volunteers in attendance. The ‘Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park’ are a group that work in conjunction with Galway City Council to enhance the environmental, biodiversity, social, and health benefits in Terryland Forest Park, which is Ireland’s largest urban public woodland project.
Initiated in 1996, it covers an area of 160 acres comprising a range of diverse habitats including waterways, woods, meadows, pasture and limestone outcrops. The group were praised by judges for their efforts to being about environmental improvements in the park.
“The Judges were very impressed with the ambitions of this project and how they are being realised even during Covid. The connections between the natural space and health were evident and in every way this group was achieving its objectives and making a difference in the community. This is a terrific example of how climate change and biodiversity can be tackled and at the same time enhancing the local community.
Community resilience award
Elsewhere, Claddagh Watch Patrol came runners up in the Community Resilience category, losing out to the Old Warren Community Association based in Lisburn, County Antrim. Judges praised the Galway group for their efforts to improve safety on the waterways of the city.
“Strong relationships with the Galway Gardai, RNLI, Fire Service and Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit have been constructed since the group’s formation. These alliances are invaluable during a rescue where the swift exchange of information is crucial as they patrol one of the fastest rivers in Europe. No one has lost their lives on the waterways of Galway City whilst Claddagh Watch has been on patrol even though they have been involved in over 100 incidents since their first patrol in July 2019.”
Headford Lace Project was congratulated for “reviving a traditional industry through extensive historical research.”
Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 19 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. President Michael D. Higgins, who is Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland with Queen Elizabeth, said the awards played an important role.
“The Pride of Place awards are a most important initiative, reminding us that creating societies that are ethical and inclusive is a task for all of our citizens, of all ages and circumstances,” Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said.
“These Awards continue to be as important as ever as we are about to start judging the 20th year of the competition. The purpose of the awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational, and tireless work being done by communities all over the island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.”
Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said Co-operation Ireland has no other programme that embodies the charity’s ethos better than Pride of Place.
“We work to build relationships across the island and Pride of Place plays a critical role in that work. The impact the awards have had in towns and villages across the island since they started in 2003 cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.
George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance said the IPB Pride of Place Awards are an ideal platform to recognise the positive social impacts being made in communities across the island of Ireland.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the communities involved for their spirit of collaboration and camaraderie in making it to the finals. “It is also important to recognise the role of local authorities across the island of Ireland who work closely with their communities to support inspiring voluntary initiatives. These awards serve as one of the important ways that we can recognise those involved in working to make a difference in society”.
