In this category, we recognise the work that community and voluntary groups undertake across a range of activities in their local areas, which meet expressed needs in the community, through supports, developments and specific initiatives.

Camross Red Cross

The positive impact of knowing that our loved ones are safe can only be felt in a community if there is expertise on hand in the event of an emergency. In Camross’ case, their safe hand is Camross Red Cross. Their impact on the local community can only be of a beneficial nature, encouraging all to participate and learn first aid and CPR, thus helping the community to help itself in times of need and emergency. This group provides an on-call defibrillator service and first aid for all local events, giving the true sense of community that is Camross.

Clonaslee Community Alert

In aiming to foster a caring environment for older and more vulnerable residents of Clonaslee, this group shows how it done. Their long time and positive relationships within the local community as well as with the local Gardaí, give those who need it, the confidence and peace of mind to go about their daily lives, in and out of their homes, with the presence of monitored alarms, sensor lighting, and most importantly, good and caring neighbours. The success of this group is owing to the enthusiasm, commitment and dedication of all its partners.

Clonaslee Social Services

The work of this group can be seen in the many social events they organise to encourage older people to get out and be part of their local community socially, to be aware that they don’t need to feel isolated within their community. Events such as weekly bingo, trips away to Bunratty and much looked forward to annual Christmas dinner, ensure that older people meet and enjoy the social aspect of life in their later years but above all, ensures that everyone is safe and happy.

Mountmellick Pioneer Centre

This group has been nominated for their steadfast commitment to the health and well being of their local community. Their message of temperance and moderation is carried through their good example and encouragement of people of all ages to take care of their own well being. They want to make every effort to overcome the source of alcoholism and highlight the issue of substance abuse in our community.

Killabban I.C.A.

For generations, the ICA has been a source of support, education, friendship and civic engagement for the women of Ireland, and this is emphasised by this particular group, on the go since 1966, and taking practical action to help people in need and work to ensure that women’s interests and community values are represented. This can be seen in their working together to give assistance to the local community through transport for those with hospital appointments, shopping for those who can’t get out, help with daily chores and even catering in the local Hall for large occasions, such as local funerals or community events. They can be seen taking part in many events across the country, including the Ploughing Championships and their fundraising efforts are many.

Borris-in-Ossory Social Services Committee

Formed in 1980 to provide resources for older people in the local area of Borris-in-Ossory, this group does so much more than just provide a social outlet. This entirely voluntary group works on a rota basis to provide meals for older people 4 days a week, a laundry service for those of all ages in need, outings and events for older people in the area and hospital and nursing home visits. They didn’t just stop at that..... having raised funds to renovate the Old Boys School in the village, a venue is now available to all the community groups in the area, such as Brownies, Youth Club, Library Group together with the hosting by the Committee of all types of courses for local people to enjoy. Their work ensures their constant contact with local people who otherwise may not have the opportunity to meet others locally, including new people to the area, who are invited to social gatherings, bringing everyone together to build a strong and connected community.

Slieve Bloom Association

The Slieve Bloom Mountains and their environs hold much beauty and heritage for us all and this Association was formed in 1975 to highlight and promote this relatively undiscovered part of our county as a tourist amenity area in our county. As well as promotion, the association works hard to ensure the development of the Slieve Blooms’ tourist trails, picnic areas and walks, while also endeavouring to conserve the natural environment, which is equally as important. The knock on effect of this work is shown in the numbers visiting the Slieve Blooms and the increase in tourist traffic to our count, helping to boost local business and local confidence.

Abbeyleix Women’s Development Group

This group was formed in 1999 and since then has enjoyed several achievements through their work, such as the provision and operation of a community childcare facility in Abbeyleix, taking part in major fundraising events and projects such as the Wonderbag campaign for National Balance South Africa, making hats and scarves for donation to the Simon Community for homeless people, and the recent local Abbeyleix Apple Festival, which was a great success. These women are all very active members in their community and bring to the group their own unique ideas.... you never know what they’re going to come up with next! May I take this opportunity also to thank all of the groups here tonight, from Abbeyleix and its environs who recently took part in the All Island Pride of Place Competition and congratulate them for winning the top prize in their category! Well done!

Killenard Community Centre

This centre was rebuilt in the early ‘90’s and has renewed community life in the area. This is due to the hard work and commitment of the volunteers and local community of Killenard. The Centre is there to provide a service to the community and brings it to life through sports, the arts, local group meetings, Speech & Drama, Active Retirement activities....you name it. It is a focal point for this rural area, and is used not only locally but  by those hailing from as far as Ballybrittas, Portarlington and Monasterevin. The centre serves the entire community and is operated by a voluntary committee who give of their time to caretake and organise activities in the centre.

Portarlington Social Services / Meals on Wheels

In 1972, a group of community spirited local people in Portarlington got together to provide a service to (in their words) “help the aged and distressed by providing meals and recreational facilities, especially through having a congenial place and atmosphere for meeting other people”. Today, this group is still providing meals for those older and more vulnerable people in the community, who look forward to a healthy meal and a chat with the volunteer delivering it. The social contact is so important and in this way, the group provides events and outlets for people to get together on a social basis, such as bingo and other outings. The group has found the need for these social occasions even greater in the past number of years, as the population of the area has increased and the need to make the connection with and for vulnerable and isolated people has become even more important.

Killenard Active Retirement

Killenard Active Retirement strives to ensure that older people in the area get out, get involved and enjoy themselves. From their regular trips away, such as golf outings, day trips to their meetings and events nearer to home, such as boles at the Heritage, this group ensures that life over 55 stays relevant, active and above all, enjoyable.

Clough I.C.A.

ICA is about women from all areas and backgrounds, both rural and urban, coming together on a regular basis and having a social outlet that in some cases they may not have in their lives, with activities to pursue, but most of all, friendships to make and keep. Clough ICA are no different in this regard. This is a group that provides an outlet for local women living rurally to meet socially, and learn different skills and crafts. Their many outings provide not only knowledge of the surrounding areas but enjoyment and camaraderie also and an opportunity for them to meet other ICA members in surrounding areas and counties.

Aghaboe Community Alert

Caring for our older and more isolated citizens is the ethos of community alert. This group is nominated for being outstanding in its parish with the care of older people and those living alone. Since 1986, Aghaboe Community Alert volunteers work to ensure the safety of their older and rurally isolated residents through the installation of monitored and smoke alarms, a lifeline for elderly people living alone, but also by visiting them regularly also. The group meets monthly and encourages the elderly to meet also, ensuring not only human contact but a social outing also.

Portarlington Tidy Towns Association

You may see the title Tidy Towns, but this group goes above and beyond the call of its title in Portarlington. Their primary aim being the enhancement of the appearance of their town, this group attracts young and old alike to get involved, with a band of volunteers carrying out various projects, all year round. They see a future for their town, one which is beneficial to all who live there. Their various clean up, awareness and “sense of community” projects have made local people aware of how they can become involved in their community as volunteers and also of their civic duty to develop their local area to its highest standard. The group’s work with children and the local schools in promoting community clean-ups, recycling and wildlife conservation has educated the community, and has earned them their selection for new pilot entitled Junior Tidy Towns. Their use of inclusive working methods, reaching out to those who would benefit most from actively getting involved such as young and older people, those recently unemployed, local business and networking community groups, is for this group, the only way to make Portarlington a better place to work, live and visit, and their successes to date have increased pride in the local community, benefiting local residents, businesses and visitors alike.

 Mountrath Senior Citizens Christmas Association

Everyone loves Christmas celebrations, but for some it may be more difficult to enjoy, if you live alone or feel isolated from family or friends or have mobility difficulties. This group came up with the solution to the Christmas blues by organising an annual Christmas dinner and party for local Senior Citizens. In December last year, a winter’s afternoon was warmed up by chat, a nice dinner, music and dancing for 144 people, all over the age of 66, and all organised and hosted by the hard work of local volunteers and much appreciated by local people, some of whom otherwise would not get to enjoy Christmas dinner and a bit craic with their friends.

 Golden Years Club

Operating in Mountrath, the Golden Years Club provides a social outlet for the over 55’s in the local area and further afield. They meet once a week and encourage older people to come out and get involved. A weekly get-together with chat and human contact is often the best way to avoid loneliness and along with this, the club organises lots of activities, including bingo and physical exercises. Rumour has it they’ve also been seen on television on certain afternoon shows!!

Mountmellick Active Retirement Association

“Active” is the word that should be highlighted in the term “active retirement” when it comes to this group. The primary aim of this group is to provide a range of stimulating educational and social opportunities for older people in the Mountmellick area. However, in addition to providing social outings and get-togethers, this group has created a network in the community of Mountmellick that reaches older people living alone, recently bereaved, or those who are carers and feeling particularly isolated, through keeping in regular contact with visits and by phone, ensuring that the mental health and well being of older people in Mountmellick is being cared for as well as the social needs. Activities and get-togethers are suited to the needs of those attending, which includes inviting “carers” to accompany and interact also. This group reaches Rosenallis, Clonaslee and all the way as far as Emo with its membership. Their active “buddy system” ensures that newcomers to the area or just the group are included and aware of their many activities, which includes I might add, a very competitive Boccia team!

Clonaslee Development Association

This group formed in 1970, with its aim to provide in the local area, recreational facilities for young and old alike. They certainly achieved their primary goal in the building of their Community Centre in Clonaslee and have since moved on to the provision of astro pitches and their playground in the vicinity. Their achievements are largely attributed to the hard work of the Association and its volunteers who provide regularly a huge amount of activities for all age groups, such as basketball and other sports, meeting rooms, social occasions and concerts, drama, and the list goes on....
They won’t be stopping there, with their plans to develop a new reception area and new rooms in the Community Centre, which I’m sure will like the other goals, be successfully achieved.