Bursting with pride in Ennis

Up to 800 people from all over the island of Ireland will gather in Ennis next week for the 2014 IPB Pride of Place Awards.

This year’s ceremony takes place on Saturday, November 15 at Treacy’s West County Hotel and is being hosted by Clare County Council and Cooperation Ireland, which runs the competition north and south of the border.

IPB Pride of Place, which was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum, aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society.

Clare is being represented in this year’s competition by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd. in Category 3 for population centres of between 750 and 1,500 people, Clarecastle Community Development Ltd. in Category 4 for population centres of between 1,500 and 4,000 people, Tuamgraney Community Woodland in Category 6 (Eco Community Initiative), and Clarisford Ltd. (Killaloe/Ballina) in Category 7 (Community Innovation).

The four communities will be hoping to emulate Clare’s success in last year’s competition when Miltown Malbay was named overall winner of Category 3.

“Clare has been very successful in this competition down through the years and I believe that this success is being recognised by Co-operation Ireland’s decision to award the hosting of this year’s annual awards ceremony to the council,” said John Crowe , Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council.