The Letterkenny Public Services Centre was the setting last Friday as Donegal County Council hosted the Pride of Place local celebration award ceremony.
The Chief Executive, Seamus Neely and the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Gerry McMonagle welcomed, the five community groups and their supporters elected members and staff to the celebration.
The Pride of Place Competition is hosted by Cooperation Ireland under a Donegal County Council Programme which highlights the commitment to supporting active community groups who undertake initiatives to improve their communities and regions.
Groups from all over the county applied to Donegal County Council for this competition, followed on by an interview process where each entrant showed the hard work carried out by their community but unfortunately a maximum of five categories could go through.
The fives groups nominated by Donegal County Council were adjudicated by two Pride of Place Judges for the National awards competition.
The Chief Executive congratulated all five committees on winning the local competition and wished them well in the National Competition which Donegal County Council will be hosting in partnership with IPB Insurance and Cooperation Ireland on the 2nd of December in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.
Five groups nominated by Donegal County Council for the 2017 Pride of Place Awards and received their certificate were:
Ray Community Centre – who was entered under the Population “0 – 300” Category
Club Óige Chríost Rí – was entered under the “Community Based Youth Initiative” category.
Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair – was entered under the “Creative Place Initiative” category.
Letterkenny Youth & Family Service (LYFS) – was entered under the “Communities Reaching Out Initiative” category
Comharchumann Thoraí Teo – was entered under the “Islands and Coastal Communities” category.
Each of the groups gave the Judges a very warm Donegal welcome during their visit back in June and July of this year.
The groups gave a presentation of the work done to date at the local award ceremony on Friday and as an appreciation for the hard work carried out by each committee in their community Donegal County Council presented all five groups with a framed certificate which they can hang with pride for the place they have created within their community.
Antionette McFadden and Fiona Boyle from the Ray Community Centre pictured receiving their pride of place award from Cathaoirleach Clr Gerry McMonagle Included in the photo are Mr Seamus Neeley CEO Donegal County Council .Back row (l-r) Liam Ward DCC ,Marianna Buchannan ,Bridie Boyle ,Marie Barrett,Jackie Barrett,Liam Friel ,Eddie Mc Fadden ,and Martin Mc Hugh
Cathal ó Gallaghóir & Marin Nic Gilla Bhride from Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair pictured receiving their pride of place award from Cathaoirleach Clr Gerry McMonagle Included in the photo are Mr Seamus Neeley CEO Donegal County Council .Back row (l-r) Liam Ward DCC , Niall Hackett and Conor Day
Marion Uí Chearbhaill and Deirdre Sweeney of Comharchumann Thotaí Teo accept the pride of place award from Cathaoirleach Clr Gerry McMonagle Included in the photo are Mr Seamus Neeley CEO Donegal County Council .Back row (l-r) Donall Caroll ,Colm Mac Ruairí and Liam Ward DCC
Marine Ní Mhiacháin and Marine Ní Cholla from Club Óige Cgriost Rí Machaiore Rabhartaigh pictured receiving their pride of place award from Cathaoirleach Clr Gerry McMonagle Included in the photo are Mr Seamus Neeley CEO Donegal County Council .Back row (l-r) Sile Uí Fhearraigh ,Liam Ward DCC and Marie Nic Phaidín
Gary Glennon & Patsy Ferry from Letterkenny Youth & Family services pictured receiving their pride of place award from Cathaoirleach Clr Gerry McMonagle Included in the photo are Mr Seamus Neeley CEO Donegal County Council .Back row (l-r) ,Liam Ward DCC, Eileen McNeilis,Louise O Donnell,Ronan Brennan ,Siobhan Coyle ,Victoria Diver Shaun Gibbons ,Bridget Gibbons , Johnny Devenny ,Louise Glennon , Patrick Rodgers and Clr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig
