Thomondgate residents association are Limerick's 'Pride of Place'

A GROUP in one of Limerick’s oldest and well-established communities has won a Pride of Place award.

There are celebrations in Thomondgate as its residents’ association took top spot in the category for urban neighbourhood/village with a population of under 3,000 with Pride of Place judges praising their efforts to create a cohesive community.

Meanwhile, Limerick City and County Council won a community engagement prize.

More than 400 community leaders gathered in Limerick for the All-Island IPB Pride of Place awards - which took place in Limerick Strand Hotel.

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Taking place for a 23rd time, Pride of Place is Ireland’s largest community awards programme.

During the evening, the community of Templeglantine missed out on a prize by a whisker, coming second to the Kilkenny town of Piltown, in the category of town with a population between 1,000 and 2,000 people.

The Local Hub at Glenbrohane also took second place in the Community Wellbeing Initiative category.

Hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, the awards kicked off with Rosbrien singer Denis Allen performing Limerick You’re a lady.

Paying tribute to the communities who were honoured on the evening, Mayor John Moran said: “These awards are a celebration of community spirit and collaboration and they shine a light on the people and projects that make our towns and villages into the places we call home.”

Council príomh-chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery added: “The Pride of Place Awards are a powerful celebration of the people who make our communities thrive. We are especially proud to host this year’s event in Limerick.”

Council director general Dr Pat Daly said: “It was a tremendous honour for us to host the IPB Pride of Place Awards here in Limerick and I want to thank IPB, Co-Operation Ireland, the Pride of Place Committee and our own council staff who made this event such a success.”

Founder of Pride of Place and its chairman Tom Dowling said: “After 23 years of these motivational awards recognising exceptional community endeavour, the judges continue to be inspired and humbled in equal measure on an ongoing basis.”