Welcome to Pride of Place 2012

(Please note this website is being updated piecemeal and will be completed by mid-February.)

The winners of the 9th Co-operation Ireland All-Island Pride of Place Competition were announced on Saturday, 5 November, in the Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, County Wexford. Phil Hogan TD, Minister for Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government announced the winners at the gala ceremony, which was hosted by Wexford County Council and part sponsored by Failte Ireland, Indaver and IPB.

Tom Dowling, Chairman of Pride of Place, said: "The competition is about showing respect and inclusion for every sector in our communities, young, old, rich or poor and creating communities to which the people are proud to say they belong".

Peter Sheridan, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland, said:
“The unique All-Island Pride of Place competition has a positive effect on communities throughout the island of Ireland. It highlights local authorities commitment to supporting groups who undertake initiatives to improve their communities. Although there can only be one winner in each category, tonight is a opportunity to recognise and celebrate the efforts of all groups.

”Given the economic climate, we have been delighted with the interest there has been in this year’s competition. It is an indication of the flourishing community spirit there is around the island of Ireland. Tonight is our opportunity to recognise and celebrate those within our community who do so much but who rarely get the recognition they deserve.”

During the evening, the Minster paid tribute to all the participating groups who work tirelessly to create and promote pride in their cities, towns and villages.

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. It differs from other similar projects in that they specifically recognise the involvement of the local community in all aspects of rural and urban regeneration including, promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage and environmental awareness.

This is the tenth year of the Pride of Place Competition, which is run by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with the All-Island Local Authority Steering Forum, a forum which encourages strategic and sustainable approaches to cross-border co-operation by Local Authorities.

Nominating bodies including Local Authorities from practically every county in Ireland have nominated groups in their local 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.

Prizes were awarded to the winner and runners-up in a total of ten categories (population, non population and themed). Awards in the separate cities competition and number of special awards were also announced.