Navan estate carries off top prize at Pride of Place awards

Athlumney Abbey in Navan received one of the top awards at the eighth annual Co-operation Ireland All-Island Pride of Place Competition held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, on Saturday night, while Trim and Moynalty Tidy Towns groups were runners-up in their respective categories. Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, presented the awards during the gala ceremony, which was hosted by Meath County Council and part-sponsored by Indaver Ireland and IPB. Marty Whelan was the MC on the night, with singer Johnny Logan providing rousing entertainment to the 600 guests, who represented 92 projects from 30 counties. This was the first time that the awards ceremony was held in Meath. Athlumney Abbey Residents' Association in Navan scooped the top prize within the housing estates category. The judges were particularly impressed by the various activities and initiatives such as their road safety programme, neighbourhood watch team and their commitment to caring for the vulnerable within their community. They were also commended for the outreach and counsel they have shown to other communities in Meath, advising them on how to come together and take ownership of their community. Moynalty and Trim Tidy Towns groups also fared well in this year's competition. Both groups were runners-up in their categories, narrowly missing out on an award. The All-Island Pride of Place competition recognises and celebrates the contribution that community groups make to society. The initiative is both unique and special as it recognises groups and projects in a diverse range of categories. From encouraging local entrepreneurs, drug rehabilitation projects to social development programmes and environmental enhancement projects, the Pride of Place initiative gives credit to groups who are making a real difference in their local community. Tom Dowling, Meath County Manager, said: “The All-Island Pride of Place competition has been embraced by all counties throughout Ireland and I am delighted to welcome you all to County Meath tonight to celebrate and recognise over 90 projects and groups involved this year. The competition gives us the opportunity to celebrate the good work that is being done by communities in Ireland. “In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the local Meath groups like Athlumney, Trim, Moynalty, South Hill Enterprises and the Meath Harp School who are a credit to our county. I wish to thank the local authorities, IPB and Indaver Ireland for helping to make the Pride of Place initiative work. It is only with the guidance and resilience of the local authorities and the continued support of IPB and Indaver Ireland that allow us to acknowledge and celebrate everyone involved.†During the evening, Mr Dempsey paid tribute to all the participating groups who work tirelessly to create and promote pride in their cities, towns and villages. 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. This is the eighth 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.