Mórtas Ceantair

Waterford takes Top Prize in All-Island Pride of Place Competition

The community of Ballymacarbry, Nire Valley, Four Mile Water won top prize in the annual Co-operation Ireland All-Island Pride of Place Awards announced at the gala ceremony in Gorey, County Wexford on Saturday (5 November).

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD along with Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran and Pride of Place Committee Chairman Tom Dowling presented the group with their award.

Winning in Category four, for populations with between 1000 and 2000 people, the judges said it was  the best they had ever seen in nine years of judging the Pride of Place Competition. The attention to detail was reflected not only in an exceptional presentation, but also in the achievements of this community to date. The judges were witness to how clear vision and single mindedness can create a cohesive community and the manner in which they gathered support from the statutory and private sectors was remarkable. They said there is a real depth of community spirit in this scattered rural area.

During the evening, the Minister paid tribute to all the participating groups who work tirelessly to create and promote pride in their cities, towns and villages.

The All-Island Pride of Place Competition recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area. It differs from other similar projects in that they specifically recognise the involvement of the local community in all aspects of rural and urban regeneration including, promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage and environmental awareness. The Competition is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with the Pride of Place Steering Committee. 

The people of the wider community of Ballymacarbry represented their county with great pride throughout the Pride of Place process. On the judging day itself (which took place last July) and in the meticulous preparation that the group and all of the local people and organisations put into it-no stone was left unturned.

There to accept the award on last Saturday evening was a delegation from County Waterford led by County Mayor, Cllr. Liam Brazil as well as Cllr. Michael J. O’Ryan who was the chairman of the Pride of Place committee which was set up locally to oversee arrangements. There was also a very strong and enthusiastic delegation from the local community, as well as a number of officials from Waterford County Council-all who were delighted with the result.

Ballymacarbry, Nire Valley, Four Mile Water have now join the illustrious list of other County Waterford Pride of Place winners and runners up who include Dunhill-Fenor (2005), Ballyduff Community Council (2007), Rathgormack-Clonea (2009) and Knockanore-Glendine-Kilwatermoy (2010).

Congraulations to all who were involved with Pride of Place 2011 from the entire county-you did us proud!