Bunclody hopeful in bid for Pride of Place Award

THE very best of Bunclody was shown off to judges from the National Pride of Place Awards recently as the town aimed to scoop some silverware in the prestigious competition. Wexford County Council decided to enter the picturesque town at the foot of Mount Leinster in the category for towns with a population over 2,000.

Husband and wife team Tom and Alison Dowling were the judges on the day and the red carpet was well and truly rolled out as they were treated to a reception at The Art Bank which was attended by local councillors Barbara Anne Murphy and Kathleen Codd Nolan, District Manager Liz Hore and Director of Services John Carley, all of whom were delighted to present all that is great in the town.

The judges got the chance to see work being done by local charities and community groups, take in some wonderful artwork at the Art Bank, see first hand the drive to promote the town taken on by the tourist office and sample some traditional produce at Bunclody Market in the Market Square.

‘It was great to show off all that’s good in Bunclody,’ said Cllr Murphy. ‘It was also great to be able to show the level of co-operation between Wexford and Carlow County Councils that exists in the town. Previously, the border was there and nobody crossed the line, but in recent years there has been greater co-operation between both local authorities which is great.’

Cllr Murphy said that the judges seemed impressed by what the town had to offer and the winners of the competition will officially be announced at a ceremony in Cork City Hall on November 17.

Back: Anne Marie Laffan (community department), Cllr. Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Michael Sweeney (community department), John Carley 9director of services) and Liz Hore (area manager). Front: Tom Dowling (judge), Cllr. Barbara Ann Murphy and Alison Dowling (judge) at the Pride of Place in the Art Bank, Bunclody.