Donegal is set to welcome more than 800 people from all over Ireland on Saturday 2nd December as they arrive in Letterkenny for this year’s IPB Pride of Place Awards ceremony in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards is an all-Ireland competition which started in 2003 and celebrates community group contributions to local society and the creation of civic pride.
It focuses on local people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. The competition is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border.
This year there were 106 entries to the competition and every community that entered the competition was visited by the IPB Pride of Place Judging Panels.
This included 5 entries from Donegal as follows:
• Ray Community Centre – Population 0–300 category
• Club Óige Chríost Rí – Community Based Youth Initiative category
• Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair – Creative Place Initiative category
• Letterkenny Youth & Family Service (LYFS) – Communities Reaching Out Initiative category
• Comharchumann Thoraí Teo – Islands and Coastal Communities category.
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Gerry McMonagle is delighted that Donegal has been chosen to host this year’s prestigious awards ceremony.
He said “This is a great coup for Letterkenny and indeed for Donegal and I am delighted to be welcoming over 800 people to celebrate and recognise the wonderful contribution that community groups make to life in their own local areas all across the island of Ireland.
“Preparations are well underway to host this event and we see this as a great opportunity to showcase what Donegal has to offer. It is also an important boost to the local economy with reports that hotel and B&B accommodation is fully booked in Letterkenny and surrounding areas.”
Tom Dowling, Chairman of the IPB Pride of Place Committee is delighted to be coming to Letterkenny for this year’s gala ceremony.
He explained “This 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 believes the competition has become one of the most prestigious on the island of Ireland.
He said “the fact that this annual Pride of Place ceremony has been growing since it was established 15 years ago is testament to the place it is held within communities across the island. We are delighted to be able to showcase the work that local people do to improve their communities and we are thankful to Donegal County Council for hosting this year’s Gala event.”
Michael Garvey, Chief Executive Officer of title sponsor IPB Insurance, reaffirmed his company’s support for the competition.
He said “the IPB Pride of Place Awards are an ideal platform to recognise the positive social impacts being made in communities across the island of Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the communities involved for their spirit of collaboration and camaraderie in making it to the finals. It is also important to recognise the role of local authorities across the island of Ireland who work closely with their communities to support inspiring voluntary initiatives. These awards serve as one of the important ways that we can recognise those involved in working to make a difference in society”.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards ceremony will take place at 7pm on Saturday 2nd December 2017 in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.
