The Committee members presented Knockainey Community Council with a commemorative scroll honouring the south County Limerick group’s achievement in beating off stiff competition from all over the country to be crowned overall winners of Population Category 3. 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.
The all-island initiative recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society, including promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage, and environmental awareness. Over 400 people from all over the island of Ireland travelled to Limerick to attend the tenth annual awards ceremony at Thomond Park last November.
Cllr. William O’Donnell, Chair of Kilmallock Local Area Committee said: “Knockainey’s success has helped to sustain Limerick’s impressive performance in the competition to date. By presenting Knockainey Community Council with a commemorative scroll, we are celebrating the vital contribution that such groups make to community life and what can be achieved when local people work together for the betterment of their own area. Limerick County Council and its Elected Members are delighted to have played their part in supporting local participants in this prestigious competition.”
Knockainey was one of four Limerick winners in last year’s Pride of Place competition. Castleconnell claimed the second prize in Population Category 4, while St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre in Limerick City picked up first prize in the Active Elderly in the Community Category of the Cities Competition. The winners in each competition category received an exclusive crystal decorative memento, along with a monetary prize. Runners-up also received a crystal memento and a monetary prize.
County Limerick has enjoyed considerable success in the All-Island competition in previous years. Cappamore Housing Estates (2011), Galbally (2010), Glin (2009), Cappamore (2008) and Drumcollogher and District Respite Centre (2007) were named overall winners in their respective categories while six other Limerick communities finished as runners up in previous years.
Source: HortiTrends News Room
