Representatives of two Clare community projects and Clare County Council attended the 2016 IPB Pride of Place awards ceremony at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall at the weekend.
Nominated by the Local Authority, Clare Bus and Ogonnelloe Exchange were hoping to replicate the numerous local successes in the competition during recent years including Doonbeg Community Development’s first place award in 2015, Killaloe and Tuamgraney’s Runner-Up finishes in 2014 and Miltown Malbay’s first place award in 2013. However, there was no repeat success for the local projects at the weekend awards ceremony.
Run by Co-Operation Ireland in conjunction with local authorities north and south of the border, the Pride of Place competition aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society.
Clare Bus is a registered business name of Clare Accessible Transport. It began operating in 2003 with one easy access bus operating in East Clare. Steady progress has led to a network of flexible services throughout Clare and parts of South Galway operated by 9 low floor buses. The entire fleet has been secured through funding from private sources and the HSE.
Ogonnelloe Exchange is a local community development organisation established in 2015.