The  community and voluntary sector in Co Monaghan got some much-needed good news on Saturday night as word filtered back from the Pride of Place Gala Awards ceremony in Gorey, Co Wexford that two of the county’s three entrants in this year’s competition had been awarded the runners-up spots in their respective categories.

On Sunday morning, the communities of Glaslough and Inniskeen awoke to the news that their endeavours to improve their area had been recognised at the highest level. Glaslough received  the ‘first runner up’ title and a cheque for €500 in their population category,  while the efforts of the community of Inniskeen to preserve and promote Patrick Kavanagh Country were rewarded with the same prize in the ‘Community Tourism Initiative’ category.

This is Inniskeen’s second time to be recognised by the Pride of Place awards, as they were runners up in their population category just last year.  Co. Monaghan’s third entrant, Clones, lost out to Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, who were described as ‘the best entrant we have ever had in the competition’ in the small towns category. However, there were words of encouragement from the judges, who commented that the imminent completion of the Peace III funded sports facility and the re-development of the Ulster Canal will ensure that Clones are the town to watch in the near future of the competition.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD joined Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran and Pride of Place Committee Chairman Tom Dowling to present a total of 45 awards to a range of community and local development groups from across the island of Ireland. All of the winners demonstrated outstanding achievements in working together to enhance their local community and the lives people living in their local area.

Peter Sheridan Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland said:

“I congratulate all the winners of this year’s Pride of Place Awards. The accolade is recognition of the commitment and hard work groups undertake for the good of their local community.

Although there can only be one winner in each category, this Awards Ceremony is an occasion to acknowledge the efforts of all groups, throughout the island, who were nominated by their local authority. In effect getting to this point is success in itself”.

Pride of Place Chairman Tom Dowling declared,

“I am delighted with the turnout and support all the groups received this evening, both winners and all groups in attendance. It highlights the appreciation and esteem in which community and voluntary organisations are held in throughout the island”.

Monaghan County Council Mayor, Cllr Seamus Coyle, who accompanied the Monaghan entrants to Gorey, was loud in his praise of the community groups. ‘This is Glaslough’s first year to enter this competition, so to come second in their category is a tremendous achievement. Although we are all disappointed  for them here tonight,  I have no doubt that there will be accolades aplenty for Clones before long.  And it was wonderful to see the dedication of the last 20 years being recognised for Inniskeen Enterprise Development, who developed the Patrick Kavanagh Centre and Poet’s Rest coffee shop, and run the annual Kavanagh Weekend and Poetry Award.  I look forward to seeing their ambitious plans to develop the ‘Kavanagh Country’ brand over the next few years.”

This was the ninth year of the Pride of Place Competition, which is run by Co-operation Ireland on an all-island basis. Entrants are nominated by their Local Authority to represent the best of community development in their area.  Each of the nominees demonstrated what can be achieved when people work together to enhance and change parts of their area for the good of the whole community.  The Pride of Place Competition recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area.

The Pride of Place judges spent half a day in each of the three communities last August, where they were met by many of the people who are involved in projects which enrich local community life.  Carol Lambe from the Office of Community & Enterprise in Monaghan County Council thanked all those who took the time to come out on judging day to show their support and to demonstrate how special their communities are. “There is a strong tradition of community development and self help in Co Monaghan, and it is a privilege to be involved in showcasing the county’s finest projects on this national stage.  We have done well over the years in Pride of Place, but this is not by accident; it is merely a reflection of the excellence which our groups deliver day after day, and year after year, on behalf of the people of Monaghan. “