Entries are being encouraged for the latest Ellison Awards for Meath and Louth area

Dear Sir,

The Meath Association of An Taisce have just launched the Ellison Awards for environmental excellence and the association also celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

The first inaugural meeting was held on 23rd September 1968 in the Vocational School, Navan. Approximately 50 people attended and Canon Ellison author of ‘ The Waters of the Boyne and Blackwater’ was elected Chairperson, Mrs. Dorgan as Vice- Chair, Mr. Jim Reynolds as Secretary and Mrs. Elizabeth Hickey as Treasurer.

The primary aim of the committee then was to acquire ownership of the Boyne Navigation which it achieved February 1969 when John Spicer signed the deeds of transfer of the Boyne Canal into ownership of An Taisce.

To celebrate this milestone the association is aptly hosting an event in October at Townley Hall which overlooks the Boyne and its proximity to the Sealock at Olbdridge, which the Boyne Navigation Group of IWAI working with An Taisce have restored.

The Ellison award winners will be announced on the night. These awards recognise people in the community from counties Louth and Meath who demonstrate environmental awareness, and sensitivity to the surrounding landscape when renovating old and new properties.

Nominations are now invited for projects/ buildings which display merit in terms of restoration, planning and design etc. Mills, castles, cottages, bridges, obelisks, archways all qualify along with garden and community restorations, recycling and school environmental projects. The independent judges will be architect Philip Geoghegan and architectural historian Kevin Mulligan.

Recent previous winners include Collon House, the Conservatory at Rokeby Hall, Mill house, Rosnaree, Sealock at Oldbridge, Community Garden at Julianstown, Donaghpatrick, Kilbride Anglers, Ploughman’s Lodge, Kells and the Preschool Ballapousta Ardee. Meath

An Taisce encourage the public to walk around their community and identify architectural features/gardens that have been restored. Nomination forms and further details are available from secretaryantaiscemeath@gmail.com and entries must be returned by June 30th 2018. An Taisce, Meath

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