Three Limerick Communities Bid For Pride Of Place Success

Three Limerick Communities will be hoping to emulate the success of Glin, Drumcollogher and Galbally in recent years when they participate in the annual Pride of Place Competition late this month.

Croom, Adare and Cappamore Estates are busy preparing for the judging stage of the 2011 competition, which takes place on the 23rd and 24th June.

Pride of Place, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum - a forum that encourages strategic, sustainable approaches to cross border co-operation.

County Limerick will once again be hoping to achieve national recognition in a competition that last year saw Galbally win in Category 2, catering for population centres of 200-500 residents. In 2009 Glin was named overall winner of Category 3, catering for population centres of 500-1000 people.

Councillor Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “Ahead of the judging stage of the competition, County Limerick’s three participating communities are busily preparing itineraries and presentations, outlining achievements and pride initiatives. Judging day is a special occasion and an opportunity for the people of Adare, Cappamore and Croom to show pride in their respective areas by supporting organised events.”

According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise: “Building on the success of last year when Galbally won its category, we are entering three communities in the ninth annual Pride of Place competition. We are confident that our three chosen nominees will perform excellently in their respective categories and will help sustain County Limerick’s impressive performance in the competition to date.”

County Limerick has enjoyed considerable success in the All-Island competition in previous years and will this year be seeking the win the ‘Best County Award’. Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007) were named overall winners in their respective categories while five other Limerick communities finished as runners up in previous years.

Judging in this year’s competition takes place on the Thursday 23rd June in Adare and Cappamore and Friday, 24th June in Croom.

(BMcN/KMcA)