Limerick Pride of Place participants announced

CONNOLLY, Ireland - July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- Moyross, Foynes, the Castleview Housing Estate in Newcastle West, and Limerick Youth Service have been nominated by Limerick City and County Councils to represent Limerick in the 2013 IPB Pride of Place Competition.

The annual all-island competition, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society.

Limerick’s most recent national success in the competition came in 2012 when Knockainey and St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre in Limerick City beat off stiff competition from all over the country to be crowned overall winners of their respective categories. Castleconnell also claimed a second place prize at the national awards ceremony which was held at Thomond Park in November. Other previous local winners include Cappamore Housing Estates (2011), Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007)

This year, Foynes has been entered into Category 3 for population centres of between 500 and 1,000 people, Moyross is participating in Category 2 for population centres of 1,000 to 2,000 people, Limerick Youth Service is entered under a Single Issue category (Youth and Enterprise), while Castleview Housing Estate in Newcastle West is participating in the Housing Estate category. Judging in this year’s competition takes place on July 18th and 19th.

Meanwhile, 2013 represents the first year since Pride of Place was launched in 2003 that Limerick City and County Councils have united to promote the initiative locally, a move Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Kathleen Leddin says will “further strengthen Limerick’s strong record of success” in the competition.

Mayor Leddin added: “Limerick is fortunate to have a wealth of community-focused groups and projects that provide services in keeping with the aims and objectives of Pride of Place. This competition also presents local communities with the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and learn from others and further promote their activities. Limerick City and County Councils are delighted to nominate four local projects which we feel have in their own way contributed immeasurably to their respective communities.”

Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr. John Sheahan added: “Participating Limerick communities have in the past benefited greatly from their experiences as the competition has provided them with an excellent opportunity to highlight the elements of their areas that they have civic pride in, and has given them a platform to showcase the work they are doing on a continual basis. Indeed, I have witnessed the benefits of the competition for participating communities at first hand with my own local village of Glin picking up first prize in its category four years ago.”

Reacting to the news of her group’s nomination, Kathleen Sheehy of Castleview Residents Association commented: “We are very proud of our estate which comprises 126 houses.  The estate itself has undergone huge change since it was first established in 1977 and we are delighted with the progress that has been made by the Residents Association in conjunction with the authorities, including the Council and An Garda Síochána, in making Castleview an attractive, safe and friendly location to live.”

According to Tracy McElligott, Community Development Worker, Moyross Enterprise Centre: “As one of the largest estates in Ireland, Moyross faces major challenges and expectations but the area remains vibrant, strong and resilient with a great community spirit. We are fortunate to have a large number of volunteers running a host of community projects, including a shared community garden for residents and Moyross United soccer club. The partnership we have built up between the Residents Forum, the Community Enterprise Centre, Primary School, Corpus Christi Church, local sports groups and businesses, Limerick Transformation Group and the Council is extremely important and working together with the agencies in the true spirit of partnership, collectively we can achieve our goals.”

Eugene McSweeney of Foynes Community Council stated: “The population is Foynes is relatively small at 600 people but the people like the place are full of energy and enthusiasm.  There are approximately 15 community groups and organisations in the village. Co-operation is the key word, with all groups and organisations working together to make the village a better place to live.”

Maurice Walsh of Limerick Youth Service expressed his delight that the Service has been selected to participate in Pride of Place.

“We look forward to showcasing the work we carry out to support and encourage young people to be active participants in shaping their futures. At present we cater for approximately 3,000 young people and have 500 volunteers working through our community-based Youth Centres in Limerick City and County. Young people are at the core with their voices and opinions valued and heard driving the direction of programmes and initiatives. We are proud to say that Limerick Youth Service is the “go to” organisation for young people and their families at times of celebration and times of crisis,” he added.

Pride of Place was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from Co-operation Ireland - a forum that encourages strategic, sustainable approaches to cross border co-operation.  For more see www.prideofplace.cooperationireland.org.