Two Offaly groups honoured at Pride of Place community awards

Two community groups based in Offaly were honoured at the prestigious Pride of Place community awards on Saturday evening (November 2) at a gala ceremony in Monaghan.

Banagher came runner up in the Areas with a Population 1000-2000 category to Straffan, County Kildare, while The Acorn Project, County Offaly, came runner up in the Community Youth Initiative category, losing out to the Sensory Kids project, County Antrim.

The awards, hosted by RTE’s Brendan McArdle, took place in in front of 400 community volunteers from across the island in the Hillgrove Hotel. The awards were delivered in partnership with Monaghan County Council.

Started 22 years ago, Pride of Place has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

President Michael D. Higgins, Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland, 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: “After 22 extraordinary years, our judges still never cease to be inspired by the wonderful achievements of the fantastic communities nominated by their local council to represent their place in these prestigious awards.”

Ian Jeffers, CEO 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 two decades ago cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.”