Dr Christopher Moran, chairman, Co-operation Ireland, Tom Dowling, Margot Cooke, Gerry Cooke, Aine Bird, Meath County Council, and George Jones, Chairman, IPB Insurance, at the Pride of Place Awards.

Athboy is Pride of Ireland

John Donohoe

Published: Thu 2 Jun 2022, 8:32 PM

Athboy Development Forum has won a prestigious Pride of Place community award in the Population 2,000 to 5,000 category, with judges branding them a “very competent well organised body who have established various sub-groups which co-ordinate activities in the town for the betterment of their citizens. They have done fantastic and very innovative work.”

The awards, hosted by RTE’s Marty Whelan, took place in Kerry’s INEC centre with 400 community volunteers in attendance.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 19 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland. President Michael D Higgins, who is joint patron of Co-operation Ireland with Britain's Queen Elizabeth, said the awards played an important role.

Also nominated for awards was Bettystown Tidy Towns and Ratoath Men’s Shed.