Pride of Place successes for Westmeath

THERE were celebrations aplenty in Moate and Rosemount as both areas took home awards in the All-Ireland Pride of Place competition at the weekend.

Moate won their category (population between 2,000 and 5,000), while Rosemount were joint runners-up in theirs - population under 300 - at a function held in Belfast.

The Pride of Place competition is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work communities are doing all over Ireland.

Several groups in Moate worked under the Moate Action Group for the initiative. 

Peter Dolan, of Moate Action Group, was thrilled with the award. 'The response of the community was great. It was the way everyone responded, groups like tidy towns and men's shed. It is a bit of affirmation for what we are doing,' he said.

Remarking on Moate Action Group, the judges said their visit commenced with a carnival atmosphere and was supported by a wide array of community groups, and council officials demonstrating the close working relationship with the county council and other agencies of state. The local amenities were showcased to the judges - a theatre, art gallery, coffee shops, enterprise units, community sports centre, refurbished library and Carmelite College.

'Care for the natural environment was equally impressive manifest in an extensive amenity park with a wild life area and Heritage Park,' said the judges.

Thirty locals from Rosemount also attended the event and while they didn't take away overall honours in their category, nevertheless they were pleased with the outcome.

Committee member Jimmy Keane said: 'It was great to get an acknowledgement. It was our first time to enter the competition and to come second was a huge achievement. It was a great honour to represent the county. We are already looking at what we need to do next year.'

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