Great Pride at Rowan Heights’ IPB Pride of Place 2013 nomination

On the 16^th November 2013 a group of volunteers from Rowan Heights, Drogheda attended the gala dinner and awards ceremony for the 2013 IPB Pride of Place in association with Co-operation Ireland competition.  The estate had been nominated by Louth County Council to represent the county in the “estate” category of the all-island competition.

Tom Dowling, Chairman of Pride of Place, states that “the purpose of the competition is to acknowledge in a meaningful manner the fantastic work being done every day by communities all over the island of Ireland.  Since the competition commenced our judges have met hundreds of thousands of persons all of whom are proud to say they are from their place.  The competition is based on communities demonstrating directly to the judges their pride in their place by presentation, exhibitions of community activities and culture, and an escorted tour of the area highlighting the aspects of which their community are particularly proud.  It is also important that the community demonstrates real partnership with their local council and shows that all sectors of the community are looked after and included.”

Christopher J Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland, said
“This annual competition has become one of the most prestigious all-island community contests and I am particularly delighted to see so many groups have made it through to the final.” He further added

“It is the emphasis of community that makes Pride of Place unique.  The competition focuses on the tangible and the intangible – the sense of belonging which is so hard to create, and often harder to maintain.  Pride of Place looks for the community that cares for everyone – from the weakest to the strongest, the community that looks out for one another, that celebrates together, that supports their own and welcome others.  This what having pride in your community is all about.”

Whilst the volunteers didn’t pick up the ultimate prize in the “estate” category at the awards ceremony held in the dome in Derry, the City of Culture 2013, those residents attending the ceremony and those back in Rowan Heights were delighted to have been nominated and felt a huge pride that their community was recognised and they are looking forward to continuing the great work in 2014.

Congratulations to the community of Rowan Heights for your nomination in the Pride of Place competition and well done for all the great work you do on your estate.