Two villages and two organisations which epitomise civic excellence in Limerick will don their county jersey and compete in the IPB Pride of Place Competition this summer, it has been announced. The villages of Murroe and Broadford, as well as Limerick Youth Theatre and Liskennett Farm in Granagh, have been selected as county representatives in the annual competition for 2016.
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. Judging takes place between June and August.
Limerick has an impressive track record in the competition, with Kilteely having received a first-place award last year, C-Well Kings Island taking a Special Award in 2014, and Castleview Residents’ Association, Newcastle West, winning an award in 2013. Previous runners-up in the competition include Scanlon Park, Castleconnell, Radharc na Cille, Kilmallock, Moyross Residents’ Forum and Limerick Youth Service.
Limerick Youth Theatre will this year fly the flag in the ‘Community Arts Initiative – City category’, with Broadford Development Association selected in the 0-300, and Murroe in the 1,000 to 2,000 population categories. Liskenett Farm was chosen for the ‘Communities Reaching Out Initiative’ grouping.
Congratulating the four projects/organisations on their nominations, Mayor of Limerick City and County Cllr Liam Galvin said: “Right across Limerick, week in, week out we see examples of inspirational communities that espouse everything that this competition is about. There’s a fantastic sense of civic spirit in Limerick, with communities like these showing exactly what can be achieved.”
Pat Dowling, Director of Services, Limerick City and County Council,
said: “We have an excellent record in this competition and based on the entries that came through this year, we have no doubt but Limerick will again be asking questions of the judges and putting its best foot forward.” For more, see page 38.