The small picturesque village of Milford in North Cork has been awarded the Runner Up prize at the annual Pride of Place Awards.
Up to 800 people from all over the island of Ireland gathered in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare last Saturday evening for the annual Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Pride of Place ceremony. This year, Clare County Council hosted the awards in partnership with Co-operation Ireland, who organise the competition north and south of the border.
IPB Pride of Place was first piloted in the summer of 2003 and came from the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum. It aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society.
Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (Ind), Chairman of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District of Cork County Council of which Milford village is a part of said “This annual competition has become one of the most prestigious community awards on the island of Ireland. Cork County Council is delighted to be associated with the Pride of Place awards since it started 11 years ago. I am delighted that Milford Community Council done so well on the night just tipped off top place by Glenfarne Community Development Trust, Co Leitrim. Milford put forward such a strong case when the judges were in Milford during the summer and I am delighted their village was showcased in such a positive light”.
Cork County Council also nominated Glounthane Tidy Towns in South Cork and Goleen District and Community Council in West Cork for the awards with Goleen also coming runners up in their category.
The categories in this year’s competition were expanded to include Eco Community Initiative, Community Innovation, Community Health Initiative (Theme Categories), Housing Estates, Population Categories up to 250 people, between 250-750 people, between 750 – 1,500, between 1,500 – 4,000 people, and in excess of 4,000, Islands & Coastal Communities and urban neighbourhoods.
The Pride Of Place Awards brings community representatives and local authorities from across the island of Ireland to Ennis. This year’s ceremony was also streamed live to a national and international audience on www.prideofplace.ie
