Clare County Council has confirmed that the presentation of awards in the 2016 “Clare in Bloom”, “Best Kept Local Authority Estate” and ‘Pride of Place’ competitions will be held at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis on Monday, 10 October 2016.
The annual Community Awards Night will be hosted by the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council and the County’s Elected Members following their Monthly Meeting on Monday October 10th in the public foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir.
The ‘Clare in Bloom’ competition is a motivational mechanism for local community groups throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their towns and villages by means of flower, tree and shrub planting schemes. Tuamgraney Development Association was named overall winner of last year’s competition, while the Mayor’s Environmental Award was presented to Doonbeg Tidy Towns.
In 2015, 22 local authority residents associations around Clare were honoured in the ‘Best Kept Local Authority Estate’ competition. The overall winner was Marian Estate, Kilkee which was awarded an engraved limestone plaque and the Mary Hennessy Memorial Award. The annual awards ceremony will also celebrate local winners of the IPB Pride of Place Competition. Clare Bus and Ogonnelloe Exchange have been nominated by Clare County Council to represent the County in this year’s all-island competition, which recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that communities make to society.
Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr. Bill Chambers said: “The awards are a mark of Clare County Council’s programme of sustaining positive and co-operative working relationships with local groups.”
“This awards night, which is supported by numerous sponsors throughout the County, is the Council’s way of thanking community groups and individuals for the valuable work they carry out. Their work not only has a positive impact on their localities, but has a real benefit in terms of the economy and particularly in terms of tourism in Clare,” he added.