Three County Cork Communities nominated for the IPB Pride of Place Awards

Anticipation is building across the County as representatives from three communities prepare for the Pride of Place Awards Ceremony to be held in Dublin on Saturday 21st January 2023.

The three entrants and their categories are: 

Category 2:  Population 300 – 1,000:

Rylane Community Park Association

Rylane Community Park Association was set up in 2016 to purchase a site and develop a Community Park in the village of Rylane.  The group wanted a community space which would benefit all members of the community and provide year-round enjoyment. 24 Officers and Committee members make up this association.  To date they have set up weekly lotto, held raffles, fun days, fun runs & walks, vintage runs and choral evenings to raise funds for the Park.   A combination of fundraising and grants (totalling over €165,000.00) have seen Phase one, a multi-sport pitch completed.  An inaugural soccer match was played on the completed pitch on Tuesday.  Phase 2 of this project is a playground which will commence later this year. The group is made up of people from different backgrounds and ages, some have lived in Rylane all their lives and others have chosen Rylane as their home.

Category 7:  Community Wellbeing Initiative

Dunmanway Family Resource Centre Meals on Wheels

Dunmanway Family Resource Centre (DFRC) is part of the national programme called the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme and is managed by a Voluntary Board of Directors. DFRC operates Meals on Wheels in Dunmanway town, its core funding is from the HSE but augmented by generous donations and local grants making it possible to deliver this service.  Their goal is to provide affordable nutritious meals to anyone who needs it.

Funding alone would not deliver this service, there are two essential requirements which make it possible, firstly the staff who prepare in excess of 200 meals per week and secondly and most importantly the 35+ volunteers who turn up without fail every week whether hail, rain or snow, some help in house and others are drivers who deliver these meals and provide an invaluable human connection to the clients.

Category 9:  Community Tourism Initiative:

Rathcormac Game & Wildlife Club

Rathcormac Game and Wildlife Club was founded in 1971 in the small village of Rathcormac in north Cork.  Having witnessed huge loss and destruction of valuable wildlife habitats they launched a habitat appeal in 2007 and started fund raising to buy marginal land. In 2011 they successfully purchased 6 acres of land near Corrin Hill and Cross.  That year they celebrated 40 years in existence and won the NARGC Club of the year. In 2013 work commenced.  The club negotiated the use of a Coillte carpark and with their kind permission a pathway was constructed through their woods to enhance the walk to the reserve.  In 2019 the club officially opened Corrin Nature Reserve to the public.  In 2021 the club won a North Cork Mayor’s Awards.  Future involve extending the Nature reserve and the purchase of some adjoining land.

Pride of Place is an all-island competition that recognises improvements made by local communities to create civic pride in their area. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area.  Judging for this prestigious, all island competition took place in August 2022 over the course of two days, during which representatives demonstrated their commitment and contribution to the growth of vibrant and viable communities in their areas.  Previous winners from Cork County are 2021 Ballinadee Community Hall Development Association, Courtmacsherry, Carrigtwohill and Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge and many worthy runner up positions.

Cllr. Danny Collins, Mayor said,

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey commending the competition, says,