Ballinahown ready for the Pride of Place judges earlier this year

Three Westmeath entries in the running for Pride of Place awards

Three Westmeath entries are in the running for Pride of Place awards at a ceremony taking place in Kilkenny tomorrow night (Saturday).

Sarsfield Square Residents Association, Ballinahown village, and Westmeath Age Friendly Intergenerational Project will be representing Westmeath at the event, and hoping to bring home national awards in recognition of their contribution to local communities.

The three entries were chosen by Westmeath County Council as part of the Cathaoirleach Awards in June, and now go on to represent the county at the national awards.

Hundreds of unsung heroes from across the Island of Ireland will descend on the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny for the 2019 IPB Insurance Pride of Place awards tomorrow.

Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Community Sector’, the Pride of Place awards is an annual competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. It promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the selfless efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise.

Local authorities from across the island nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively.

Pride of Place chairperson Tom Dowling said: “These Awards...are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational tireless work being done by communities all over the island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.”

Best of luck to the Westmeath entries!