Fingal Pride of Place

Dublin projects wins at all-Ireland community awards. Bayside Community Association was honoured at the all-Ireland Pride of Place community awards on Monday evening May 16th.

The awards, hosted by RTE’s Marty Whelan, took place in Kerry’s INEC centre with 400 community volunteers in attendance.

Bayside took top prize in the Urban Neighbourhood/Village category.

Rush Tidy Towns were also nominated, coming second place in the Urban Neighbourhood with a population over 5,000 category.

Judges said they were impressed with Bayside Community Association’s reach into the community.

“The judges heard a wonderful story of a very large mature 44-year-old coastal housing estate where the residents decided to form an association in 2017 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

“The level of participation and community engagement since then has been extraordinary with an extensive range of fantastic participative initiatives for all the community.

“This entry really impressed the judges with its focussed approach, energetic committee, excellent relationship building, and the community group lives out its believe that ‘when we work together, we achieve so much more’.

Rush Tidy Towns’ work in the community was highlighted in the judging report.

“Rush Tidy Towns is very well structured, works collaboratively with all sections of the community, Fingal County Council, and business community in order to ensure that the best possible facilities are in place for the community.”

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 19 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. 

It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

President Michael D. Higgins, who is Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland with Queen Elizabeth, said the awards played an important role.

“The Pride of Place awards are a most important initiative, reminding us that creating societies that are ethical and inclusive is a task for all of our citizens, of all ages and circumstances.”

Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said; "These Awards continue to be as important as ever as we are about to start judging the 20th year of the competition. The purpose of the awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational, and tireless work being done by communities all over the island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.”

Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said: "Co-operation Ireland has no other programme that embodies the charity's ethos better than Pride of Place.

“We work to build relationships across the island and Pride of Place plays a critical role in that work.  The impact the awards have had in towns and villages across the island since they started in 2003 cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.

George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance said: “The IPB Pride of Place Awards are an ideal platform to recognise the positive social impacts being made in communities across the island of Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the communities involved for their spirit of collaboration and camaraderie in making it to the finals.

“It is also important to recognise the role of local authorities across the island of Ireland who work closely with their communities to support inspiring voluntary initiatives. These awards serve as one of the important ways that we can recognise those involved in working to make a difference in society”.