On behalf of the organising committee I want to thank the people of Claregalway Parish for the huge effort put into to making sure Claregalway put its best foot forward for the judging on the 23rd of July. The judges were obviously impressed with all that Claregalway has to offer. The plan was that they would be with us for two and a half hours. They stayed for five hours. The morning started with a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the many aspects of life in Claregalway.
This was followed by a tour of the parish starting at the Friary, then to the Castle and onwards to the GAA pitches in Knockdoemore. Next stop the soccer pitches in Cregmore and then to Carnmore Community Centre via School Road, a quick tour around the Community Centre to view the different activities taking place there, then to Claregalway Community Centre. Next stop was the Secondary School, where over thirty community organisations and businesses had their display stands set up. The judges spent a long time with each of them and finished with a short tour of the school. We then visited the Day Care Centre to meet and chat with each the clients. Our final stop was to the charity shop which is such a key element in supporting the Day Care Centre.
Claregalway Pride of Place members Sheila Holland Fox, Clare Horgan, Ann and Vincent Lyons, Cllr Mary Hoade, Cathaoirleach Galway County Council and Breda Mulrennan, Galway County Council with (back, from left) Kevin Kelly, CE Galway County Council, Ronan Foley, CE IPB, Tony O’Brien, Leas Cathaoirleach Clare County Council, Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman Co-operation Ireland, Tom Dowling, Chairman Pride of Place, Kieran Coyne of Galway County Council, at the 12th Annual IPB Pride of Place Awards in association with Co-operation Ireland at Tracey’s West County Hotel Ennis recently.
We went to the West County Hotel in Ennis on the 16th of November for the Award Ceremony. We had hopes and dreams but dared not to be presumptuous. Claregalway was in the large town category (population 1500–4000). Kenmare won first prize in this category. We were thrilled when Claregalway was awarded the runner-up prize. The trophy is currently doing the rounds of the parish.
This award is for all the people of Claregalway Parish. Keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Vincent Lyons
Organising Chairman
