Girley Bog Meitheal were honoured at the all-Ireland 2019 Pride of Place Awards held in Kilkenny on Saturday evening.

The Meath conservation group took top spot in the Creative Place category, edging competition from the Zero Waste project in Kildare and the Soloheadbeg Centenary project in County Tipperary.

The judges praised the ecological aspect of the Girley Bog entry:

“The winning entry concerns a group of like-minded people who have come together to manage a precious resource. Their greatest challenge lies in the sustainability of the project into the future.

“However, the absolute commitment of the members was immediately obvious to the judges on the day of their visit. Here is a very special habitat that is in very capable hands.

“Conservation activities, guided walks, workshops and community outreach are all part of a truly admirable enterprise.”

The Girley Bog Meitheal is a small group who would like to grow and develop their programme of events and they need new members to do this. They hold 4 meetings a year in Kells, Co. Meath, and run events such as guided bog walks, butterfly workshops, community outreach, and other wildlife and conservation activities. If you would like to get involved in any way, or have an idea for an event or activity, you can email them at girleybogmeitheal@gmail.com.

900 representatives from counties across Ireland gathered in the Lyrath Estate Hotel for the awards, hosted by Kilkenny County Council.

Sponsored by IPB, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 18 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.

Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said; “These Awards continue to be as important as ever after all these years and the purpose of the awards has never changed. They are about recognising and celebrating the extraordinary, inspirational tireless work being done by communities all over the Island of Ireland as they strive to make their place a better place in which to live.”

Dr Christopher Moran, Chairman of Co-operation Ireland said: “Pride of Place deserves its position as one of the most prestigious community awards on the island of Ireland and Co-operation Ireland is delighted that it continues to go from strength to strength.”

George Jones Chairman, IPB Insurance said: “IPB Insurance is proud to be title sponsors of Pride of Place and most importantly what these Awards represent. As a mutual insurer of local authorities and their communities, these awards are an excellent fit as they recognise how volunteerism at a local level delivers an all-island social impact creating better places to live, work and socialise.”