Galway County Council is to battle it out for the title of Council of the Year in the finals of the 2014 LAMA Community and Council Awards, in association with IPB, which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Dublin, on Saturday, January 25 next.
The finalists of the awards, which celebrates community and councils working together, were announced recently with Galway County Council named as just one of nine Galway finalists to make it through to the final next month.
Other finalists include Leisureland Salthill - Best Energy Smart Initiative, sponsored by Codema, and submitted by Leisureland Salthill Galway; Bethany Park - Best Public Park - submitted by Ballinasloe Town Council; Lough Derg (on the Shannon ) Heritage Trail - Best Tourism Initiative - submitted by Galway County Council; Galway Film Development Programme - Most Innovative Authority, sponsored by AES - submitted by Galway County Council; Knocknacarra Community Centre - Best Public Building - submitted by Galway City Council; Ballinasloe Town AFC - Local Sports Club of the Year - submitted by Ballinasloe Town AFC; Aer Lingus Etihad International Hurling - The Gathering Event of the Year - submitted by Galway County Council; Galway County Council - Council of the Year sponsored by IPB Insurance; and St Kerrills Festival 2013, Gurteen, Ballinasloe - Local Festival/Event of the Year - submitted by Galway County Council.
The LAMA Community and Council Awards has grown in popularity since its inception in 2006. By expanding and developing annually, the awards reflect the changes in contemporary society. This year the LAMA Community and Council Awards turned its focus to communities more than ever with the introduction of the Local Festival/Event of the Year, The Gathering Event of the Year, and Best Tourism Initiative categories.
Commenting on the 2014 LAMA Council and Community Awards, Cllr George Jones, chairman of IPB Insurance, said: “As the proud insurer of the local authorities, IPB Insurance is delighted to continue our long-standing support of the LAMA Awards. Now in its eigth year, the LAMA Community and Council Awards provide an invaluable platform to recognise and celebrate those communities and councils who are working together to deliver excellence in development and recreational projects. This event affords us all a unique opportunity to pause and say thank you to the people whose tireless work on quality local projects makes such a meaningful difference across the country.”
Chairman of the LAMA Association, Cllr Hugh McElvaney, said: “It is great to see so many innovative and unique projects being recognised, and congratulations to all who have reached the final. The LAMA awards are distinctive in that they celebrate councils and communities working together, and every year I am amazed at the wonderful work being carried out across the nations. We are also delighted to be partnering once again with IPB, this is the fourth year of the partnership which has grown from strength to strength.”
