Pride of Place Competition 2025

They are: 

• Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Glenbrohane Local Hub 
• Templeglantine
• Thomondgate Residents Association 

This is the 23rd consecutive year of the competition, which has enjoyed tremendous success and continues to grow in terms of prestige and popularity. 

The purpose of the competition is to acknowledge and celebrate the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. 

The competition is based on communities or groups demonstrating the pride they have in their place. It is also important they demonstrate real partnership with their local council and state agencies and show that all sectors of the community are included. 

The 2025 winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held on Friday 7th November 2025 hosted by Limerick City and County Council in The Strand Hotel, Limerick City. 

The All-Island competition is run in conjunction with Co-operation Ireland, local authorities North and South and is supported by IPB. It aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society along with generating awareness, respect and inclusion for every facet of society. 

The Limerick groups have been entered in the following categories: 

• Community Tourism Initiative – Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Community Wellbeing Initiative – Glenbrohane Local Hub
• Population 1,000 – 2,000 - Templeglantine
• Urban Neighbourhood under 3000 – Thomondgate Residents Association

Each group holds a special festival day showcasing their work and its impact on the community for the visiting judging panel. The judging will take place on 15th and 16th July 2025.  

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran:

“It is a great honour for Limerick to host this year’s IPB Pride of Place Awards. These awards celebrate the spirit of community, the power of collaboration, and the pride people take in shaping their local areas. Limerick has long been recognised for its outstanding community spirit, and this year is no exception. Our four nominated groups—Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Glenbrohane Local Hub, Templeglantine, and Thomondgate Residents Association—are strong contenders and once again highlight Limerick’s strong reputation of achievement in this prestigious competition. Their dedication and innovation reflect the very best of what Pride of Place represents.”

Cllr Catherine Slattery, Príomh Comhairleoir, Limerick City and County Council, added:

“Each of the four selected Limerick groups showcase the pride they hold in their local heritage and environment while demonstrating the powerful impact of community-led initiatives. They are shining examples of what can be achieved when communities come together with vision, compassion, and dedication.”

Anne Rizzo, Acting Senior Executive Officer, Community Development, Limerick City and County Council said: 

“Pride of Place is a competition that acknowledges the daily efforts and endeavours of communities across the length and breadth of Limerick.   It provides an opportunity for those local communities to showcase the unique spirit that exists.   Limerick City and County Council is delighted to be taking part in the IPB Pride of Place competition again in 2025, and we are looking forward to hosting the national awards event here in Limerick in November. I wish to acknowledge the great efforts the four chosen groups have made, and there is no doubt in my mind, they will do Limerick proud and I wish them the very best of luck.” 

Limerick has an impressive track record in the competition, with the following groups winning in previous years;   

• 2024 – Johnsgate Residents Association, First Place Winner in the Urban Neighbourhood <3000,    Dromcollogher Respite and Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons – Runner Up in Age Friendly and a Special Award given to The Butterfly Club
• 2023 - Killeedy Community Projects, First Place Winner in the <500 Population Category along with Southill HUB, Runner-up Winner Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages <3000 

• 2022 - West End Youth Centre, Ballinacurra Weston, First Place Winner in the Community Based Youth-Led Initiative, along with Runners-up awards for St Munchin’s Community Centre Killeely / Thomondgate in the Community Resilience category and Glenroe/Ballyorgan Community Council CLG in the Community Population 300 - 1,000 category 

• 2021 – Draw Out Limerick, Runner-up in the Creative Place Initiative category and Lough Gur Development Co-operative Society, Runner-up in the Community Tourism Initiative category 

• 2020 - Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, First Place Winner in the 1,000 – 2,000 population category 

• 2019 - Abbeyfeale Community Council, Runner-up in the 2,500-5,000 population category 

• 2018 - First Place Winner, The Children’s Grief Centre under the Communities Reaching Out Initiative, along with Runners Up awards for Limerick Civic Trust in the Creative Place Initiative and Kilmeedy in the 0-300 population category. 

Further details on this year’s groups:  

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Spearheaded by Margaret O’Shaughnessy and supported by volunteers, the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum was founded through a community-backed share issue and fundraising campaign.

Museum celebrates the town’s unique role in early aviation and maritime history. Housed in the original terminal building of the former Foynes Airport, the museum preserves the story of the transatlantic flying boat era, including the invention of Irish Coffee and the town’s role as a vital aviation hub in the 1930s-40s. It features interactive exhibits, a full-size replica of a Boeing 314 Clipper, and film memorabilia from actress Maureen O’Hara, who had ties to the area.

For locals, the museum is more than a tourist attraction – it’s a cultural cornerstone. It produces local pride, tourism-related employment, and acts as an education resource for schools and visitors. Events and exhibitions hosted at the museum bring the community together, promoting heritage awareness and strengthening Foynes’ identity as a town with a proud and globally significant past.

Glenbrohane Local Hub

Glenbrohane, a quaint rural village in Limerick, nestled at the foothills of the Sliabh Riadh Mountain. Just 3km from the main route connecting Limerick City and Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, this tranquil community, often hailed as a hidden gem by visitors.

However, this tightknit village of 430 residents has endured profound sorrow. The loss of several individuals from Glenbrohane and nearby communities to suicide has left deep wounds, bringing grief and unanswered questions. This period of reflection sparked a determined effort to foster mental health and wellbeing within the community.

From this place of sadness emerged an inspiring vision: the creation of a community hub aimed at enhancing social connections and support. The project’s goal is clear:

• Establish a welcoming space where locals can gather, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and share conversations.
• Provide additional services focused on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, addressing the challenges of rural and social isolation in Glenbrohane and its surrounding areas.

Templeglantine

"Teampall an Ghleanntáin," meaning "the church of the little glen," stands as a central landmark in Templeglantine, alongside Halla Inse Bhán. The area boasts a vibrant sporting community, active GAA, Camogie, and Soccer clubs, while also nurturing a deep-rooted tradition of Irish culture, particularly in traditional dance and music. As part of the Sliabh Luachra region, the parish plays a key role in preserving and celebrating this musical heritage.

The opening of the Limerick Greenway has significantly benefited the village, attracting visitors and providing a valuable space for local wellbeing. Templeglantine is home to a strong network of volunteers who collaborate across various clubs and organizations, driving community projects forward. In recent years, efforts have focused on upgrading facilities; enhancing biodiversity; increasing social inclusion and cultural diversity, having recently joined with the Sikh community to plant a sacred forest. Currently, the most ambitious initiative to date is underway, developing a mobility hub, an all-weather pitch, and a natural recreation space.

Thomondgate Residents Association

Our community, steeped in history and nestled along the River Shannon between King John's Castle and Thomond Rugby Stadium, has undertaken numerous initiatives to enhance our neighbourhood. Recognized as an Architectural Conservation Area, Thomondgate reflects a deep heritage while fostering a vibrant and diverse community.

We have proudly earned accolades in the Going for Gold Competition—securing Bronze in 2023 and Gold in 2024. Our environmental efforts include biodiversity planting, artistic street enhancements with murals and decorated bollards, and a Climate Action Program that introduced native Irish trees and hedging to beautify and sustain the area. Additionally, we’ve created a remembrance garden in honor of a late resident.

This summer, we are excited to host our first Active Healthy Community Playday, in collaboration with LCCC and Limerick Sports Partnership, bringing together children of all ages for a day of fun and activity.