TWO Limerick projects have been announced as winners at this year’s All Ireland Community & Council Awards on Saturday, February 15.
The Bingo Wings Project with Fidget Feet and St Gabriel’s Orthotic Centre were announced as award winners at a ceremony presented by IPB Insurance and Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) in Croke Park Stadium, Dublin.
The awards, now in their 14th year, recognise and celebrate community groups and councils working together across Ireland.
Fidget Feet and St Gabriel’s Orthotic Centre were just two of the more than 200 entries received, and were both announced as two of the 24 winners crowned in the various categories.
Social enterprises, local authorities, organisations, projects and individuals working within the communities across Ireland all entered this years’ event, which experienced the highest level of competition yet. This year entrants were required to provide information on the project they were submitting, the people involved and their achievements over the past year.
The Bingo Wings Project won the Best Arts/Culture (Incl. Festivals & Events) category. Over 30 community groups and families (8-90 years old) took part in circus workshops and bingo games across Limerick, Kerry and Donegal organised by Fidget Feet, to promote health, well-being, inclusivity and community, and the opportunity to be part of a professional circus theatre show in an ambitious project with Ireland’s leading circus company.
St. Gabriel’s Orthotic Services won Best Social Enterprise at the awards. St Gabriel’s Orthotics provide orthotic treatments for children with disabilities throughout the Midwest of Ireland. The orthotic devices are essential treatments that help children with disabilities to stand, walk, run and play. In 2019, St Gabriel’s Orthotics provided 704 orthotic interventions for children with complex needs throughout the Midwest of Ireland.
There were prizes on the double for The Bays Training Centre, Moyross, which scooped SILVER awards in two categories – Best Education/ Training Initiative and Best Community Based Initiative. While The Urban Digital Co-op & Community Hub won BRONZE in the Best Business Working with the Community category.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Sheahan said, “A huge congratulations to the Limerick winners of the All Ireland Community & Council Awards and to those who were shortlisted. Your commitment to the communities you work with and in is very much in evidence. The work being carried out as part of the projects is very important and have a significant impact in the respective local communities.”
Commenting on the winners at this year’s awards, IPB Insurance Chairman George Jones said, “The vision, variety and social impact reflected through the community projects shortlisted tonight is hugely inspiring.”
“Community spirit is the cornerstone of Ireland’s societal heritage and therefore it is very important that we continue to recognise the valuable work being undertaken at a grass roots level,” he added.
