St Patrick’s Villas in Castleconnell and Northside Youth Space in Ballynanty have put their best feet forward after being visited by the judging panel for this year’s IPB Pride of Place competition.
The two projects were selected by Limerick City and County Council to be Limerick’s representatives in the annual competition this year.
The judges on the day were Donal Connolly from Waterford and William Beattie from Tyrone.
They began in St. Patrick's Villas in Castleconnell with a presentation in ACM Centre Castleconnell by members of the Residents Association followed by a tour of St. Patrick's Villas Housing Estate.
William Beattie acknowledged the warm welcome which they received in St. Patrick's Villas and complimented the residents in maintaining the estate to such a high standard.
After lunch the judges visited the second of the limerick entrants - Northside Youth Space (NYS) in Ballynanty.
There they were given a very informative presentation by Damian Landy Manager NYS and Stacey Lyons, Limerick Youth Service and members of the Youth Club, followed by a tour of the building displaying the vast array of services being provided in the centre from Ballynanty Youth Club, Youth Mental Health Project and Garda Youth Diversion Programme.
Judge Donal Connolly stated that NYS were providing an excellent service and nothing was more important than providing a good service for the youth in order to instil a sense of civic pride and a spirit of volunteerism.
He also complimented the LYS on the building and stated that it was a fantastic asset to the area.
IPB Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland.
The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities.
The all-island competition, which is run in conjunction with local authorities North and South, aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society along with generating awareness, respect and inclusion for every facet of society.
St Patrick’s Villas, Castleconnell will this year fly the flag in the Housing Estates category, with Northside Youth Space selected in Community Based Youth Initiative category.
The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal on the 2nd December 2017.
Limerick has an impressive track record in the competition, with Broadford winning the 0-300 population category last year, while Liskennett Farm received a Special Award.
Kilteely were the winners in the 0-300 population category in 2015, while Castleview Estate in Newcastle West won their category (Housing Estate) in 2013.
Previous runners-up include Scanlan Park in Castleconnell (Housing Estate - 2015), Radharc na Cille, Kilmallock (Housing Estate – 2014), Moyross Residents’ Forum (Community – 2013) and Limerick Youth Service (Youth - 2013).
A Special Award has also been received by C-Well Kings Island in 2014.