Welcome to Pride of Place 2009
A copy of the Co-operation Ireland Press Release about the award winners is on the Co-operation Ireland website.
This is Pride of Place 2009! 2008 was another milestone year for us in that a pilot Pilot Islands Competition was successfully launched and the Cities Competition is now a fixture. We look forward to the challenges of 2009 and anticipate another great year. To all who participated in 2008 we extend our congratulations. To all prospective new participants, we welcome you on board and wish you well with your entries in 2009.
After consulting widely with both judges and liaison officers and in a constant quest to refine and maximise the impact of the competition it has been decided this year to introduce some further changes. The following are the main changes to the competition in 2009:
- New Single Issue Themes
- Population Category Changes in Main Competition and Cities Competition
- Separate Islands Competition Established
See 'How to Enter - Categories and Awards' section for details of these changes .
While Pride of Place is a relatively new competition, it has been remarkably successful. The phrase ‘Prestigious Pride of Place’ coined by the media aptly describes the sentiment attached to the competition which has led to it taking its place as a leading community orientated event.
Pride of Place is an all-island competition which was first piloted in the summer of 2003. It was initiated by Tom Dowling, Chairperson of the Local Authority All-Island Community & Leisure Sub-Committee and County Manager of Meath County Council. In his role as County Manager, Tom has long been aware of the substantial efforts of community groups whose activities enable key societal functions, which would otherwise be absent.
The concept behind the competition is very simple - to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that community groups make to society. This basic element of community recognition makes the competition unique. Past entrants in Pride of Place have included groups involved in a wide variety of activities across the social spectrum. The common thread is the impact and difference these activities have made in peoples' lives.
The entries in 2009 will undoubtedly be as impressive as those which have gone before. We look forward to being introduced to the Pride of Place communities throughout the island of Ireland in the coming months.
