Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 4:47pm

Kells Waterworks project in the limelight at LAMA awards

At the LAMA Awards (from left) were: Cllr Oliver Sweeney (trustee of Kells Waterworks), Ronnie McGrane (chairman, Kells Victorian Waterworks), Cllr Sarah Reilly (nominator) and Cllr Brian Curran, Kells Town Council chairperson.

The Kells Waterworks Restoration Project was honoured at the prestigious Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) annual awards in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday night.

The awards, which are in their fourth year, commends individuals, initiatives and private companies for projects which enhance and bring benefits to the community.

The Kells Victorian Waterworks Restoration Project involved the restoration of the waterworks by a dedicated group of volunteers, spearheaded by local businessman Ronnie McGrane and it is now the only surviving working hydro-powered pumping station in Ireland.

Cllr Sarah Reilly who nominated the project for the award, said it was the first Kells initiative to reach the finals and it had raised the profile of Kells.

"I am truly delighted that the Kells Victorian Waterworks Project received the recognition they deserved. To be selected as finalists in three categories is remarkable. I nominated the group for the awards because I am keenly aware of the dedication and passion the core group, Ronnie McGrane, Willie Carr, Ken Martin, PJ McCaffrey and Charlie Rogers, among others, have put into the project over the past seven years. I have visited the waterworks on several occasions and it is amazing to hear and feel the old hydro turbines working," she said.

Ronnie McGrane said that Cllr Reilly was to be commended for her efforts to put Kells in the limelight. "The award ceremony was on Dublin City Channel and this gave the town of Kells great exposure," he said.

Mr. McGrane said the awards and recognition received by the Kells Victorian Waterworks project kept the group motivated to continually improve the facility for tourists and visitors alike.

This is the fourth year of the LAMA awards, which are sponsored by Zurich.