The IPB Pride of Place 2024 awards are presented in association with Co-operation Ireland.
Limerick City and County Council has selected the four groups that will represent Limerick in this year’s IPB Pride of Place Competition.
They are:
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Dromcollogher and District Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons
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Johnsgate Residents Association
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Rockhill Bruree Community Council
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The Butterfly Club
This is the 22nd consecutive year of the competition, which has enjoyed tremendous success and continues to grow in terms of prestige and popularity.
The purpose of the competition is to acknowledge and celebrate the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland.
The competition is based on communities or groups demonstrating the pride they have in their place. It is also important they demonstrate real partnership with their local council and state agencies and show that all sectors of the community are included.
The All-Island competition is run in conjunction with local authorities North and South and is supported by IPB. It 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.
The Limerick groups have been entered in the following categories:
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Age Friendly – Dromcollogher Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons
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Urban Neighbourhood under 3000 – Johnsgate Residents Association
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Population 300-1000 – Rockhill/Bruree Community Council
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Inclusive Communities – The Butterfly Club
Each group holds a special festival day showcasing their work and its impact on the community for the visiting judging panel. The judging will take place on 21st and 22nd August.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran is confident the four selected groups will do Limerick proud, saying, "Congratulations to Dromcollogher Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons, Johnsgate Residents Association, Rockhill Bruree Community Council, and The Butterfly Club for being selected to represent Limerick. These groups exemplify the spirit of community, collaboration, and inclusion that this initiative celebrates. Their dedication and hard work significantly enhance the quality of life for people in our communities. We are proud to support them. This competition shows exactly how community-led projects foster pride and partnership across Ireland. We wish them the very best in the competition and look forward to their continued success."
Seamus O’Connor, Local Community Development Committee Chief Officer, Limerick City and County Council said: “The Pride of Place competition acknowledges the daily efforts and endeavours of communities and provides an opportunity to showcase the unique community spirit which exists throughout Limerick.”
“Limerick City and County Council is delighted to be taking part in the IPB Pride of Place competition again in 2024. I wish to acknowledge the great efforts the four groups chosen have made. There is no doubt they will do Limerick proud and I wish them the very best of luck.”
Limerick has an impressive track record in the competition, with the following groups winning in previous years;
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2023 - Killeedy Community Projects, First Place Winner in the <500 Population Category along with Southill HUB, Runner-up Winner Urban Neighbourhoods/Villages <3000
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2022 - West End Youth Centre, Ballinacurra Weston, First Place Winner in the Community Based Youth-Led Initiative, along with Runners-up awards for St Munchin’s Community Centre Killeely / Thomondgate in the Community Resilience category and Glenroe/Ballyorgan Community Council CLG in the Community Population 300 - 1,000 category
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2021 – Draw Out Limerick, Runner-up in the Creative Place Initiative category and Lough Gur Development Co-operative Society, Runner-up in the Community Tourism Initiative category
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2020 - Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, First Place Winner in the 1,000 – 2,000 population category
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2019 - Abbeyfeale Community Council, Runner-up in the 2,500-5,000 population category
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2018 - First Place Winner, The Children’s Grief Centre under the Communities Reaching Out Initiative, along with Runners Up awards for Limerick Civic Trust in the Creative Place Initiative and Kilmeedy in the 0-300 population category.
The 2024 winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held on Saturday 2nd November 2024 hosted by Monaghan Council in the Hillgrove Hotel & Spa.
Further details on this year’s groups:
Dromcollogher and District Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons:
Dromcollogher Housing for Older Persons & Families, est 1988, Daycare Centre, established in 1996 and Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre established in 2002, are at the forefront of the localities focus for their own community and further afield with the Respite Centre catering for Limerick city and county, North Kerry, North Cork and East Clare. The centre was visualised by local farmer Seamus Stack and was supported through large voluntary contribution from the community and government funding. Whilst closed to comply with Covid-19 restrictions, major renovations of the Centre took place, under the guidance of various public bodies. The Centre operates with 14 beds, offering temporary respite care for the older people serving as a home-from-home for residents, meeting holistic needs and providing relief for primary carers. In line with national goals for positive ageing, the services enable people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, achieving positive change in their lives and their families.
Johnsgate Residents Association:
Nestled between the walls of Limerick City and John’s Square, St John’s Cathedral and John’s Graveyard, lies Johnsgate Village. Years of neglect, dereliction and anti-social behaviour, intimidation and dumping, constant Garda activity, led the residents to tackle issues by change, transforming the Village to an area of Biodiversity, cleanliness, group participation in local events. A diverse community of faiths and ethnic backgrounds. The project is having a profound effect on the people within the community, general area and reputation. Local planting events, gardening, education, and the community are more aware of each other’s beliefs, geography and even sports, which is bringing the community together. The local business community have come on board, even improving shop fronts. Children now play freely and together in a safer space. The community is working together to make the village an example using the history of the area and their newfound community spirit a welcome space for locals and tourists alike.
Rockhill Bruree Community Council:
The parish of Rockhill Bruree sits at the foot of the Ballyhoura Mountains with the historic and picturesque village of Bruree (Brú Rí) standing proudly on the banks of the River Maigue. The community has a long tradition of volunteerism and the active promotion of all aspects of community life. In March 2022 the current Rockhill/Bruree Community Council was established as an umbrella organisation for the many existing organisations within the parish and to promote a coordinated and coherent approach to their work. Recent developments in the community include: the provision of a Community Walkway, new Dressing Rooms at the Community Sportsfield, a new Community Pre-School and extensive refurbishment of the Community Hall. A new Community Plan has recently been finalised and it provides a roadmap for further exciting developments focused on catering for the needs of everybody in our growing community and so as to make Rockhill/Bruree a truly inclusive community.
The Butterfly Club:
The Butterfly Club is a voluntary group which was set up in 2004, born from an idea after Rathkeale/Newcastle West hosted Martinque in the Special Olympics in Dublin in 2003. When the Olympics was over a group of volunteers began to offer respite to families and create a social club to children with special needs. With the support of West Limerick services started in Coláiste na Trócaire in Rathkeale in 2004, moving location twice before acquiring a unit in Rathkeale industrial estate in 2017. The club currently provide monthly respite for 51 special needs children, and their families, in the West Limerick region. With approximately 70 adult and 20 student volunteers, from all over limerick, the club provide a social outing for special needs children, and for most of our members this is there only social interaction. The children are brought swimming, bowling, etc., bring in music and play therapists to the club. A new venture with NCW golf club with adapted golf lessons.