Photos from the award ceremony night: Gallery 1: The Award Ceremony Gallery 2: Celebrations Gallery 3: Press Photographer photographs If you want high resolution copies of these photographs, please contact our Webmaster Michael Doyle A copy of the Co-operation Ireland Press Release about the award winners is on the Co-operation Ireland website.

Welcome to Pride of Place 2008! 2007 was another milestone year for us in that a pilot Cities Competition was successfully launched and there was record number of entries. We look forward to the challenges of 2008 and anticipate another great year. To all who participated in 2007 we extend our congratulations. To all prospective new participants, we welcome you on board and wish you well with your entries in 2008.

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 changes. The following are the main changes to the competition in 2008:

• Designated Single Issue Themes
• Separate Cities Competition Established

See 'How to Enter - Categories and Awards' section for details of the themes in the Single Issue Category.

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 2008 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.