The prestigious ceremony for the National Pride of Place Awards will take place in the Gleneagle INEC Arena, Killarney, Kerry on Monday, May 16.
Mayo will be represented this year by four exceptionally strong projects: (1 ) Killeen (Louisburgh ) – Community Wellbeing; (2 ) Ballyheane – Population Category 300 – 1,000; (3 ) Ballina Community Clean Up – Population Category over 5,000; and (4 ) The Cattle Raid Trail of Mayo – Community Tourism.
The groups were nominated earlier in 2021 by Mayo County Council. Representatives from each group will travel to Kerry for the announcement of the results. The event will be livestreamed on the Co-operation Ireland website prideofplace.ie
Pride of Place is an annual all-island competition organised by Co-operation Ireland, IPB Insurance and local authority partners which acknowledges the incredible work of communities all over the island of Ireland.
Judging took place in August. Unfortunately, restrictions did not allow physical visits to the groups' areas. Instead it consisted of a meeting with two Pride of Place judges and each group separately, to discuss their projects. It also gave groups opportunity to present their achievements by virtual tours of the areas.
Over two days in Mayo the judges did not conceal their admiration for the incredible displays of the four shortlisted communities. They commented on the "enthusiasm, commitment and innovation shown" and acknowledged the unparalleled quality of the presentations and the incredible effort put in by the participating communities.
Spokesperson and head of community engagement for Mayo County Council, Deirdre Finnerty, said: "Regardless of the outcome of the national competition, in our view our four nominees are already winners."
