Groups Showcase Local Areas for Civic Pride Awards

The Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition  is a regional/area specific competition which celebrates and showcases community group activities and contributions to society. 

The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good abut their local area.  The emphasis is therefore on how communities interact together to improve local area thereby creating/restoring pride in the area. 

Too often, the tremendous time and effort that people put into community activities on a purely voluntary basis is overlooked.  This competition is unique in that it recognises and rewards people for their vital contributions to their local community. 

Sligo County Council joined with Sligo Borough Council for the second year to select three groups to represent Sligo town and county in the Co-operation All-Ireland Pride of Place Competition. 

The Competition is divided into a number of categories based on population size and this year the following groups were nominated for their civic pride initiatives:

Category 1 (population up to 1,000)
Maugherow Intergenerational Project

This project was established to explore the potential of using the arts in a school environment; to address the isolation and social exclusion experienced by many older people in rural area. 

Category 2 (population between 1,000 and 2,000)
Ballymote Community and Enterprise Ltd

This voluntary organisation aim to develop employment and social inclusion in the local area by undertaking a wide range of projects including the development of four industrial units, the enhancement of the Town Park and the development of a new Playground complex.  Their project involves the continuation of schemes already in progress and to encourage wider participation in the local community. 

Category 3 (population between 2,000 and 10, 000)
Cranmore Community Platform

This group was established under the Cranmore Regeneration project to provide a voice for the residents living in Cranmore, to communicate  information, ideas and propose solutions to any problems arising in the community.  Their project involved the enhancement of the local area and included: the development of Sr. Maureen Dolan Park, (a play area for children); a visual arts projects (Mural) at Cranmore Road, a Seating and Glass Panelling project at Racecourse View.

Judging for the National competition took place on 29th June 2005, each group prepared a varied itinerary which included presentations, group discussions, walking tours, visual display of work projects etc. which allowed groups to showcase the enhancement works undertaken and highlight the level of commitment of the local community; who came out in force to support the event.  The winners of the National competition will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in Belfast on 26th October and we wish all the competing groups the very best of luck.