Ballyboy, Tullamore Tidy Towns and Bracknagh represent Offaly in Pride of Place
IPB Pride of Place is an annual competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. It promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the enormous efforts of volunteers in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise. Under the competition, local authorities nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood by working collectively.
This year Offaly County Council nominated Ballyboy Community Development (representing the Birr Municipal District area) in the Community Wellbeing Initiative category; Tullamore Tidy Towns (representing the Tullamore Municipal District area) in the Climate Action and Biodiversity category: and Bracknagh Community Association (representing the Edenderry Municipal District area) in the Population 0 to 500 category.
Judging for the three Offaly entries took place on 6th and 7th September 2023. The judges for the two days were Mr. John Briggs, former Chief Executive of Armagh Council, and Mr. Declan Nelson, former Chief Executive, Monaghan County Council.
The first judging visit was to Ballyboy, a beautiful village with a proud heritage lying two kilometres east of Kilcormac on the ancient route between Birr and Dublin. The picturesque village contains a famous pub ‘Dan & Mollys’ and a primary school. It was an important town in the Middle Ages when it had a castle, a hat factory and a mill.
Ballyboy Community Development (BCD) isa new and vibrant community group formed in 2021 to revitalise the village and its community groups. The group provided a welcome cup of tea and refreshments to the judges and local volunteers in Dan and Mollys, with live music provided by local musicians. Councillor John Leahy and Councillor Peter Ormond attended the judging. The judging started when an impressive presentation was given to the judges by BCD officials Thomas Fox, Diana Fox, and John Leamy who outlined the history of the group and its evolution, as well as the numerous fundraising events it has organised. They also outlined their plans to demolish the derelict dance hall in the centre of the village and construct a much needed vibrant new community centre. There is great enthusiasm in the village for this to be completed.
After the presentation in Dan and Mollys the judges visited a number of locations in the village including the burial ground and church ruins of St Mary’s church where a talk was given by local historians Sean Bracken and George Gill. Talks were also provided at the site of the old RIC barracks, at the derelict old community hall, at Jacksons Mill and at the site of the Wesley Church which was delivered by William Buckley. The history of Scoil Bride NS was given by the Principal, Ms Grace Clendennen.
A group of set dancers provided entertainment at the rear of Dan and Mollys pub and on the banks of the Silver River a group of set dancers and traditional musicians entertained the judges and locals to jigs and reels in the pleasant sunlit surroundings. Finally, the judges were able to meet volunteers from several local community groups such as the Ballyboy Comhaltas, Dan and Mollys Card Players, the High Milage Group, the Ballyboy Group Water Scheme and the Craft group.
The involvement of new residents in the area has resulted in a great sense of community involvement and integration in Ballyboy. On the day of the judging the village was looking its best, and it was obvious that the group had put a lot of hard work into ensuring that not a leaf was out of place.
The group won’t be resting on their laurels, as they are busy planning another large fundraising event shortly, with the All-Ireland Tractor Pulling and Dyno Day planned for 30th September 2023 which they are busy promoting on their Facebook page.
The second judging event was held on the afternoon of the 6th September, when members of Tullamore Tidy Towns group met the judges in Tullamore Municipal District offices. Chairman, Shane Murray, delivered an impressive, colourful and comprehensive presentation which detailed the numerous ways the group implement climate action and biodiversity within the town. The judging was attended by Councillor Declan Harvey, Councillor Neil Feighery as well as Councillor Sean O’Brien who is an active member of Tullamore Tidy Towns. The group benefit from a seasoned and active committee as well as the knowledge and experience of their horticulturist, Mark Sheehy, who advises the group on how to maximise the environmental benefits of their activity. Among their regular and valued volunteers are members of the recently arrived Ukrainian community in Tullamore.
In 2023 Tullamore Tidy Towns is celebrating 60 years of activity in the town caring for the environment. The group is run by a voluntary committee which continues to promote and implement Tidy Towns principles playing an important role in safeguarding the local environment, enhancing the wellbeing and sustainability of the community.
Tullamore Tidy Towns are guided by their recently published 5-year Action Plan, and continue to develop long-standing relationships with local bodies, national agencies, new volunteers and community groups. They encourage open dialogue, with an inclusive approach to successfully completing agreed projects and promoting sustainable initiatives. Their ultimate goal is to win the National Tidy Towns Competition.
The volunteers in the group carry out an enormous amount of work throughout the year in all weathers, including litter picking, weeding, sweeping and bulb and tree planting. They also host informational talks and workshops involving schools, community groups and businesses. They have developed and maintained a range of planters and flower beds at several locations and are currently planning to provide an environmental themed mural at a prominent location in town. The views of the group provide an important input into development plans and town enhancements carried out by the local authority and Municipal District.
The final judging event was held on 7th September when the judges met Bracknagh Community Association at the community hall where a vibrant presentation was delivered by Lisa Quinn and Tony Donnelly. Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Councillor Eddie Fitzpatrick, and Councillor Noel Cribben attended the judging. The Association was set up in October 2019 with the objective to bring from the past all that was good and to introduce new plans that will add to the health and happiness of the community spirit. The group has set up a new Community Text Alert initiative and are focused on continuing to modernise and regenerate the Community Centre in order to provide a comfortable meeting place where all can have fun, learn and celebrate together.
Both the community hall and the whole village was in pristine condition on the day and it was obvious that there was enormous pride in the village by all residents and volunteers. The judges met volunteers from a number of local groups such as First Responders, the Community Choir, Game Conservation, Bracknagh GAA, Bocce Club, Tractor Run, Craft Group and the Heritage Group, who all described their activities and achievements.
After the presentation the judges were brought on a walking tour of the village. The first stop was at St. Brochan’s Church where local historian Mary Crotty outlined the history of the church and gave details of how the remains of the Ballynowlart Martyrs were exhumed and reburied in the grounds of the St. Broughan’s church in 1917. The judges also viewed an ESB generator which was decorated with beautiful environmental artwork. At St. Brochan’s NS the judges met the pupils who displayed their lovely garden and the judging finished with a visit to the ancient St. Brochan’s Well set in a tranquil location near the village.
Offaly County Council Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney praised all three entrants from Offaly, noting the enormous impact and commitment of the volunteers in these communities as the reason the Council had nominated Ballyboy Community Development, Tullamore Tidy Towns and Bracknagh Community Association.
A selection of photographs taken during judging are available here: https://www.facebook.com/offalycoco/