Thomond Park To Host National Pride Of Place Ceremony

July 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Pride of Place, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum - a forum that encourages strategic, sustainable approaches to cross border co-operation.  

Five Limerick communities will be this year hoping to emulate the success of recent years, including 2011 which saw Cappamore Housing Estates Committee as the overall winner of the Housing Estates Category and Adare as runners up in Category 3, catering for population centres of 500-1000 residents.

Lough Gur (Single Issue – Cultural Tourism), St. Senan’s Social Services Foynes (Single Issue – Active Elderly) Knockainey (Category 3 - Population 500 to 1000), Castleconnell (Category 4 – Population 1000-2000) and Riverview Housing Estates Kilmallock (Category 9 - Housing Estates) are busily preparing for the judging stage of the 2012 competition, which takes place on the 8th, 9th and 10th August 2012.

Councillor Jerome Scanlan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “Ahead of the judging stage of the competition, County Limerick’s five participating communities are busily preparing itineraries and presentations, outlining achievements and pride initiatives.  Judging day is a special occasion and an opportunity for the people of these communities to show pride in their respective areas by supporting organised events.”

According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise: “This competition focuses on local communities, both north and south of the border, coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. Groups are presented with the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and learn from others and further promote their activities.”

Ms. Cotter Coughlan continued: “Building on the success of last year when Cappamore Housing Estates won their category, we are entering five communities in the tenth annual Pride of Place competition. We are confident that our chosen nominees will perform excellently in their respective categories and will help sustain County Limerick’s impressive performance in the competition to date.”

County Limerick has enjoyed considerable success in the All-Island competition in previous years and will this year be seeking to win the ‘Best County Award’.  Cappamore Housing Estates (2011), Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007) were named overall winners in their respective categories while six other Limerick communities finished as runners up in previous years.

The winners in each competition category will receive an exclusive crystal decorative memento, along with a monetary prize.  Runners up will receive a framed certificate and a monetary prize, while the recipients of special awards receive a crystal memento.

Judging in this year’s competition takes place on the 8th August in Castleconnell and Lough Gur, 9th August in Knockainey and Riverview Estate, Kilmallock and 10th August in Foynes to judge the St. Senans Social Services.

-ENDS-

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