Clare communities shine at annual Awards Night

CONNOLLY, Ireland - Oct. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- In his opening address, Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins said: “I want to thank everybody for the tremendous work being done within communities to enhance the living environment. There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this County as is evidenced by the interest in these awards.”

Mayor Arkins also thanked the adjudicators and the two sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Competition; ESB Moneypoint and Roche Ireland for their continued support.

Anne Haugh, Deputy County Manager stated: “Even though we are experiencing difficult times as a Council, I think it is vital to support communities and that is why we continue to stage these awards. It is our way of acknowledging that the work local communities carry out not only has a positive impact on their localities, but has a real benefit in terms of the economy and particularly in terms of tourism in County Clare. I also want to acknowledge the roles that community groups have played in the Gathering initiative during 2013.”

Commenting on the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition, Ms. Haugh said: “The Council is committed to implementing an Estate Management Strategy to improve the appearance of estates and indeed the quality of life of the residents within their estates.  This Strategy is very much dependant on involvement of residents so much so that it will not be successful without their co-operation and involvement.”

Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the Housing Social & Cultural SPC presented the awards for the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition. Councillor McCarthy commended the residents in each of the estates for their achievements, which involved enhancement of the appearance and presentation of dwellings and open spaces within their estates.

“In this the 11th year of the Best Kept Local Authority Estate Competition, we cannot underestimate the value and contribution being made by the residents associations throughout the county. We must also acknowledge the difficult financial climate which these groups are working within, and these awards are recognition of their continued commitment,” added Councillor McCarthy.

The overall winner of the competition was Lower Main St., Tulla which was awarded an engraved limestone plaque, a cheque and the Mary Hennessy Memorial Award. Individual awards were also presented to An tAonach, Kilfenora (Most Improved), St Josephs Road Ballyvaughan, Connaught Road Scariff and Derryvinna Clonlara (Best Youth Involvement).

Category 1 of the competition for estates comprising up to 30 houses was won by Lower Main St., Tulla, which finished ahead of Rosscliffe Ct., Ballynacally, and St. Josephs Rd., Ballyvaughan (Joint 2nd), and Creag Bhriain, Corofin and An tAonach, Kilfenora (Joint 3rd).  Bishop Murphy Park Parteen, Cluain Chormaic Kildysart and Finnuremore Park Mullagh were ‘Highly Commended’ while Church Road, Miltown Malbay was ‘Commended’.

Category 2 for estates comprising 31-50 houses was won by Riverview Tuamgraney which finished ahead of Station Road Lahinch  and Connaught Road Scariff (Joint 2nd), and Millstream Killaloe and Derryvinna Clonlara (Joint 3rd). Clarehill Clarecastle and Lus na Si Miltown Malbay were both ‘Highly Commended’.

Category 3 of the competition for estates comprising 50 or more houses was won by Cappa Lodge Sixmilebridge. Marian Estate Kilkee and Ballard Road Miltown Malbay finished in joint 2nd ahead of Rooska Lisdoonvarna in 3rd, while ChurchDrive/Aonach an Chlair Clarecastle was ‘Commended’.

Clare in Bloom, an awards scheme for community groups actively involved in the improvement and enhancement of their localities, this year featured 26 participants from around the County. The Mayor’s Environmental Award was presented to St Mary’s Community Development in Lissycasey, while Mountshannon Community Council was named Overall Winner of Clare in Bloom 2013.

Kilrush Tidy Towns took 1st place in Category 1 of the competition while Newmarket-on-Fergus and Lisdoonvarna Community Council secured 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Tuamgraney Development Association came 1st in Category 2, Kildysart Tidy Towns came 2nd and Scariff Community Council came 3rd. In Category 3, Ruan Tidy Towns was awarded 1st prize, 2nd prize went to Knock Tidy Village Committee and Bridgetown Development Association were awarded 3rd prize.

‘Special Endeavour’ awards were also presented to An Sean Dún Residents Association, Ballynacally Tidy Towns, Barefield Tidy Towns, Bodyke Community Association, Cappa Lodge Residents Association, Cranny Tidy Towns, Feakle Tidy Village, Kilmihil Tidy Towns, Labasheeda Community Pride, Mullagh Tidy Village, O’Briens Bridge Community Group, Primrose Gardens Residents Association, Quin Tidy Towns, Shannon Town and Tulla Tidy Towns.

Meanwhile, three local groups were last night honoured for their commitment, effort and dedication to the enhancement of their communities as part of their participation in the IPB Pride of Place Competition 2013. 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.

Clare’s participants in this year’s competition, An Sean Dún Residents Association, Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns Committee and Mountshannon Community Council will be hoping to emulate the success of other local community groups in previous years at the Pride of Place ceremony in Derry on 16th November, 2013.

Further information relating to the Best Kept Local Authority Estates competition is available from the Estate Management Unit, Housing, Cultural & Emergency Services Directorate, Clare County Council, Tel No. 065 6846225/290 or email ccarey@clarecoco.ie. Further details on the Clare in Bloom Awards can be obtained from Tourism & Community Development Department, Clare County Council Tel No 065 6846428, email ncullinan@clarecoco.ie