Donegal was yet again very strongly represented in the 2008 Co-Operation Ireland/Local Authority Pride of Place All-Ireland competition. Three entrants were judged on Thursday August 21st and Friday 22th August 2008.
Representatives from the CAKE committee pictured with Pride of Place Judges
Seated-Breid Neely, Pride of Place Liaison Officer, Donegal County Council, Allison Boyle, Pride of Place Judge, Tom Dowling, Pride of Place Judge and Ms. Carlin, Playschool committee
Three community organisations were chosen from a county-wide pool by Donegal County Council last Spring to progress to the All Island competition, competing in three different categories: Castlefin Partnership Initiative Ltd. (CPI Ltd)-population category 500 to 1,000, Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprises Ltd (CAKE Ltd)-population category 1,000 to 2,000 and Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair, which runs the Ionad Naomh Pádraig community centre, in the Community Facility category.
Castlefin Community Representatives pictured with Pride of Place Judges Allison Boyle and Tom Dowling
Judges Tom Dowling and Allison Boyle, first visited CAKE Ltd on the Thursday morning. The judges were introduced by Maxi McCleary ( Chairperson) to the representatives of the CAKE committee and the local Playschool committee.
The judges were very impressed with the range of facilities offered by the state of the art Oaktree Enterprise Centre. The facility includes meetings rooms, enterprise units for local businesses and a sports hall. Among the projects highlighted during the tour of the village, was the Playschool, the adjoining children’s playground, the footbridge enhancement project and the Burn Rock Picnic area. The tremendous work being done in partnerhsip with FÁS was evident with the splendid array of flower beds, tree planting and the improvement works to sidewalks.
Pride of Place Judges check out the playground facilities
In the afternoon the judges travelled to the neighbouring town of Castlefin, where they received a warm welcome from a large group of community representatives in the Castlefin Partnership complex. The group organised a children’s fun day for the judging visit. Old and young were present to demonstrate the pride that they take in their town. The judges had the opportunity to meet representatives from the Young Environmentalist group, St. Vincent de Paul society, the Tidy Towns committee, the GAA club, Castlefin Celtic, employees from the enterprise units and many more. Michael Carlin (Project Manager) brought the judges on a tour of the local area, including a visit to St. Vincent de Paul, the grounds of Castlefin Celtic football club, and to view the impressive landscaping at the Diamond which surrounds the Town Clock. The visit concluded with a tour of the mutli functional complex and the judges then relaxed to muscial entertainment from very talented young artists.
Pride of Place Judges visiting the Burn Rock Picnic Area, Killygordon
seated Left to Right-Breid Neely, Pride of Place Liaison Officer, Donegal County Council, Allison Boyle, Pride of Place Judge, Tom Dowling, Pride of Place Judge, Michael O'Brien, FAS Supervison, CAKE representatives-Seamus McMenamin, John Butler,
On day two, the judges travelled to Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair, taking in the scenic views of Mount Errigal and Dunlewy on a beautiful sunny Friday morning. This entry is under the ‘Community Facilities’ category and the judges got the opportunity to meet many of the people who benefit from this facility as well as the committee members. A detailed presentation was given by Mary Coyle, Manager of Ionad Naomh Pádraig. The judges were highly impressed with the extensive fundraising activies undertaken by the committee for the development of the centre and complimented the close collaboration of the committee with the young people of the community in identifying their needs at the centre. The judges were then given a tour of the facility and local talent-young and old put on an variety of entertainment, including a song from well known local man Leo Brennan and modern dance from young girls. The visit concluded with a guided tour of Dore and a trip to the Gweedore Industrial Estate, taking in the route of the proposed walkway that this group wish to develop.
Well known local gentleman Leo Brennan performs a song for the Pride of Place Judges at Ionad Naomh Padraig
The Co-Operation co-ordinated All-Ireland Pride of Place competition aims to recognise the pride that communities have in their areas and all of the Donegal entries proved beyond doubt that there is very strong pride in their place in Donegal. Donegal County Council is delighted to be able to nominate such high standard entries yet again this year.
The winners of the competition will be announced at a Gala Ceremony in Waterford in the Autumn. Here’s hoping Donegal will take home at least one of the prizes!