NATIONAL PRIDE OF PLACE AWARDS FOR BALLYPOREEN & KILWORTH
Ballyporeen Community Council have plenty to be proud of, as they scooped the top prize in their category at the national ipb Pride of Place Awards in Killarney. Locally they were not the only group to successfully represent The Avondhu catchment, as Kilworth Community Council placed second in their category, meaning a duo of awardees in the area from just 12 categories.
BALLYPOREEN
Ballyporeen were one of just five groups nominated by Tipperary County Council for the awards, a success and acknowledgement of their hard work in its own right. There was great excitement as representatives of the community council headed to the INEC in Killarney for the awards, and even greater excitement when Ballyporeen Community Council were announced as the overall winners in their category, ‘Areas with a Population of 300 - 1,000 people’.
In making the award, judges commented on the ‘quality of the local festival offerings’ and ‘intergenerational activities’ in the village.
James Hackett, chair of Ballyporeen Community Council, paid respect to the group’s predecessors, and said that ‘ great credit’ was due to previous members who built a strong organisation that has “stood the test of time and gone from strength to strength.”
“All these developments are only possible with the support of the people of the community which has been fantastic over the years. A continuation of the local effort is the Community Council-backed Tidy Towns personnel who have been active in the last number of weeks.
There are familiar faces and some new welcome additions and if any others want to contribute, please simply turn up on any given evening for the weekly outing. That’s us with the Hi-vis jackets!”
The community group was established in July 1977, and at that time became a driver for community activities. The council attributed their success to the ‘ huge support’ they received throughout the community and beyond, and paid testament to the range of organisations that use the facilities “and have been supportive of the group down through the years.”
Most recently the community council has partnered with the local primary school to develop the grounds around the school for community activity. The partnership has been successful in securing €311,289 for the development of a multi-purpose AstroTurf pitch and refurbishment of the old boys’ national school. The council also has an application submitted for a community park and walkway, that would create a walking loop of the village, as well as a beautiful community space.
“It has been a great week for the Ballyporeen Community Council to get recognition at the national Pride of Place Awards, and the group looks forward to future developments and the great community support for its activities,” Mr Hackett said.
KILWORTH
Further success for TheAvondhu area, when Kilworth were announced as runners-up in their category, areas with a population of 1,000 - 2,000 people, with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in Laois as category winners. (See separate report)
The awards are hosted by Kerry County Council, and were held in the INEC in Killarney last Monday evening with awards presented by RTÉ veteran broadcaster Marty Whelan, fresh from his trip to Turin for the Eurovision. With over 400 delegates, the awards celebrated 86 community groups across the island of Ireland. The awards were established to promote and celebrate the best in community development, and “recognise the selfless efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise”.