THREE Limerick community groups were honoured at the IPB Pride of Place Awards.
Delighted Johnsgate Residents Association took home the top prize in the Urban Neighbourhood Under 3,000 category for their work in regenerating the area and turning it into a village of biodiversity, cleanliness, and community participation.
Judges described Johnsgate as “effectively a small but important housing estate nestled between the walls of Limerick City and John’s Square, St John’s Cathedral, and John’s Graveyard”.
“The area suffered years of neglect, dereliction, and anti-social behaviour, intimidation, and dumping, constant Garda activity. This led some of the residents, led by a visionary leader, to tackle issues by change, thus transforming the village to an area of biodiversity, cleanliness, group participation in local events,” the judging panel said.
Elsewhere in Limerick, the Butterfly Club in Rathkeale was honoured with a special award in the Inclusive Communities category.
The Butterfly Club was established when Rathkeale hosted the Special Olympics in 2003. A group of families began to offer respite to local families and create a social club for children with special needs.
The club currently provides monthly respite for 51 special needs children and their families, with approximately 70 adult volunteers and 20 student volunteers.
Judges said they were “emotional, both happy and sad in equal measures, as the leaders, parents, and an extraordinary young lady spoke of the difference this facility has made to their lives”.
Meanwhile, Dromcollogher Care Centres and Housing for Older Persons was a runner-up in the Age Friendly Communities category.
President Michael D Higgins said that the Pride of Place awards remind us that creating communities is a job for everyone.
“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,” he said.
