Kiltegan Village has won a prestigious Pride of Place community award.
The village claimed a special award in the Population 0-300 category, with judges drawing attention to years of hard work by local volunteers.
“This village has a long history of community activity with its tidy towns committee winning overall in 1973. The setting up of a development committee in 2018 has brought great extra cohesiveness to the village with great new initiatives. The group believe its initiative is a community wide project demonstrating the potential in every rural community in Ireland,” the judges stated.
George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance, award sponsors said: “The IPB Pride of Place Awards are an ideal platform to recognise the positive social impacts being made in communities across the island of Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all the communities involved for their spirit of collaboration and camaraderie in making it to the finals.
“It is also important to recognise the role of local authorities who work closely with their communities to support inspiring voluntary initiatives. These awards serve as one of the important ways that we can recognise those involved in working to make a difference in society”, he added.
Cllr Shay Cullen, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, who attend the presentation ceremony in Killarney, congratulated all involved and remarked: “This is an absolutely fabulous achievement and a real tribute to Kiltegan village and it’s people.”
Also nominated in the Community Wellbeing Category was Neighbourhood Network Wicklow, but, unfortunately, they missed out on the night.
The Pride of Place competition was initiated 19 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. Over the years it has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.
President Michael D Higgins, who is Joint Patron of Co-operation Ireland with Queen Elizabeth, said the awards played an important role adding: “The Pride of Place awards are a most important initiative, reminding us that creating societies that are ethical and inclusive is a task for all of our citizens, of all ages and circumstances.”
Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said; “These Awards continue to be as important as ever as we are about to start judging the 20th year of the competition. The purpose of the awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational, and 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.”
Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said: “Co-operation Ireland has no other programme that embodies the charity’s ethos better than Pride of Place. We work to build relationships across the island and Pride of Place plays a critical role in that work. The impact the awards have had in towns and villages across the island since they started in 2003 cannot be underestimated, and the continuing success of the awards is down to the dedicated volunteers and their love of where they live.
