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JULIANSTOWN hosted judges from the IPB Pride of Place awards earlier this month, as the town showcased all that is best about its community ahead of November’s annual ceremony.
The awards, an all-island competition which acknowledges the work that communities are doing every day in all walks of life, is now in its 16th year.
Based on the communities demonstrating to judges their pride in their town via an oral presentation, exhibitions of community activities and a tour of the area, each nominee aims to put the focus on how locals come together for the good of the greater locality.
Co-operation Ireland judges Eddie Sheehy and Tim Caffrey recently visited the town to assess the community’s entry, with a whole host of members of community groups and organisations giving their time to talk the judges through what they do in Julianstown.
Meals on Wheels, Julianstown Amateur Drama Group, The National Ecology Centre, Indigo Art, East Meath Hospice, Mosney Language Classes and East Meath First Responder Unit were among those represented, with the duo of judges very impressed by what they had to say.
The judges were taken on a whirlwind tour of Julianstown, with transport provided by McGinty Bus Hire, before the party retired to The Lime Kiln who kindly provided tea and scones.
Deputy Fergus O’Dowd was on hand to meet the judges, accompanied by Cllr Sharon Tolan and while Rev. Katherane Poulton was unavailable,
Roy Bowers and Fr. Declan Kelly spoke in effusive terms about the location.
The committee thanked Meath County Council for nominating Julianstown for the competition and paid tribute to the Julianstown & District Community Association committee members, in particular Clare McEnaney, Fred Logue, Jackie O’Shea, Anne Hanley, Mary Logue, Brendan Logue, Eileen McCullough, Aisling Monahan, Tom Hughes, Larry Lenehan, Colm O’Donnell, Pat Kiernan, Emer Dolphin and Niamh Bn. Ui Loinsigh.
Last year, Slane village won the IPB Pride of Place award in the 1,000-2,000 population category.