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County Mayor Patrick Gerard Murphy sharing a joke at the Launch of the Muintir na Tire
Pride in our Community
The Mayor of County Cork Councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy launched the 2019 Pride in our Community Competition at the County Hall today in front of a large crowd which included many County Councillors and representatives of Community groups from all over county Cork. The Pride in Our Community Competition is now celebrating its 14th year and continues to encourage communities to display the best of their area by developing sustainable amenities that benefit the entire community. The competition which is organised by Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire in conjunction with Cork County Council continues to go from strength to strength each year.
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Over the years, the competition has developed from a small idea to the very successful and popular competition that it is today with a prize fund of over €10,000, with over 50 groups expected to take part again this year. Through this competition, Muintir na Tire recognises and acknowledges the hard work of all the community organisations involved around the County and this in turn supports the work of development work of Cork County Council. The competition also seeks to make people aware of their environment, to continue the overall development of their areas and to encourage litter free communities.
Mayor Murphy praised the competition and promised continued support from Cork County Council to the voluntary sector in County Cork and he congratulated last year’s overall winners The Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Tower Heritage Group who restored the Signal Tower and constructed a Lusitania Memorial Garden, which features an iconic sculpture.
Mr Kevin Murphy Chair of the Environment SPC Cork County Council praised Muintir na Tire for its commitment to rural development and also for their help with the Mayors awards. He said that there was a record entry last year and that the standard is improving all the time.
In a message to the launch, Mr Brendan Scahill Community Worker HSE Cork North said they were also delighted to be working closely with Muintir on many projects and he outlined the health benefits of most community projects.
Mr Sean Holland Chairman of the organising committee called on Groups in the county in the process of improving amenities in their local community to enter the Pride in Our Community Competition, which has a Prize Fund of over €10.000. He said the competition is open to all communities in County Cork big and small and the special Youth Award for Youth groups is a new initiative to encourage young people to help out with improving and developing amenities. There is also a Small Village Award, a Best Large Town in Each Division, Best Heritage Project, Most Eco Friendly Project,
Social Inclusion Award, Best New Entry, Best Tourism Project, Best Maintained Existing Project, Healthy Town/Village Award and Innovation and Creativity.
Mr Seamus Forde Chairperson of Cork County Federation Muintir ná Tíre said amenities highlight the important link between our surroundings and our quality of life. He said these projects brighten up communities and enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings in which we live as well as attracting tourists.
He thanked the County council especially Louis Duffy and his staff at the Cork County Council Environment Directorate for providing support for the organising, judging and funding of the competition.
He said tha Muintir na Tire hopes to see all of our communities continue to support our work by partaking in the competition this year and we encourage all groups past and present to continue to develop their projects and ideas in the future. We really hope to see past groups coming back to work on projects in the future. Niamh O Dwyer County Council Co-ordinator said it was now easier than ever to enter the competition. She urged groups to enter online at muintircork.com or to contact 0214500688 and request a Brochure / entry form.
Full competition details and photos of Launch are available from Cork County Federation Muintir ná Tíre 8 Sidney Place, Wellington Road, Cork City