Four Limerick communities will be hoping the pride they show in their place and work will be recognised as the All-Ireland Pride of Place Awards take place on Saturday 21 November. Ireland’s largest community awards go ahead this year online, honouring communities across the island for their work during the Covid-19 crisis.
Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Community Sector’, the Pride of Place awards is an annual competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. It promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the selfless efforts of people in making their local area a better place to live, work and socialise.
Local authorities from across the island nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively. The competition culminates with a Gala Awards Ceremony.
Limerick’s entrants Bedford Row Family Project, Monaleen Park Residents’ Association, Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, Vale View Residents’ Association are among the 82 groups to have been nominated in 2020.
A gala ceremony was due to be held this Saturday celebrating all the finalists but this will not now take place. In its place will be an online ceremony hosted by RTE’s Marty Morrissey and streamed live at prideofplace.ie.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins wished the Limerick entries the best of luck.
“All four groups have to be commended and congratulated for the huge amount of work they do for their communities. They are among the unsung heroes who are doing brilliant work in their communities. There’s a fantastic sense of civic spirit in Limerick, with communities like these showing exactly what can be achieved when they work together.
“This year more than ever, the work of our communities was even more important as they managed the challenge of Covid-19 and ensured our vulnerable people were looked after. We are proud to have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all the wonderful communities who participated in this year’s awards,” the Mayor said.
Pride of Place Chairperson Tom Dowling said: “The purpose of these awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational and tireless work being done by communities all over the Island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.
“This year has been a very difficult year for many so we are proud to have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all the wonderful communities who participated in this year’s awards.”
Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman Co-operation Ireland added: “Co-operation Ireland has no other programme that embodies the charity’s ethos better than Pride of Place and in 2020 it’s even more important it takes place to recognise the huge efforts of ordinary people during the pandemic.
"The impact Pride of Place has had in towns and villages across the island since it started in 2003 cannot be underestimated, and its continuing success is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.”
George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance said: “IPB Insurance is proud to be associated as title sponsors of the IPB Pride of Place Awards and more importantly what they represent. It is clear that working together and getting things done increases people's pride in where they live and in turn helps build vibrant communities. As a mutual insurer that insures local authorities and their communities across Ireland, these awards are excellent partnership.”
For more information on the 2020 IPB Pride of Place Awards, go to prideofplace.ie or check out Limerick.ie/pride-of-place.