Ireland’s largest community awards will be hosted by Monaghan County Council on Saturday, November 2 with hundreds of delegates to travel from across the four provinces to the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan town.

The Pride of Place awards is an annual competition organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance.

This year’s awards will be the focal point of a series of events across the weekend, with booker prize shortlisted author Pat McCabe’s new play Little White Lies having its premiere in the Garage Theatre on Friday, November 1.

Established to promote and celebrate the best in community development, the awards recognise the selfless efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise. 2024 marks the 22^nd year of the awards.

Pride of Place is an All-Island competition whereby local authorities from across the island of Ireland nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively. The competition culminates with a Gala Awards Ceremony.

Ian Jeffers Chief Executive Officer, Co-operation Ireland said; Co-operation Ireland is proud to have organised and delivered the Pride of Place awards since their establishment in 2003.

“Co-operation Ireland plays a critical role in building relationships across the island and these awards have had an immeasurable impact on towns and villages, driven by the dedication of volunteers and their love for their communities. 

“In overseeing the development of Pride of Place across three decades, we look forward to welcoming hundreds of delegates from community organisations across Ireland to Monaghan this November.

Tom Dowling, Chairman, Pride of Place, said; “The unique IPB Pride of Place competition focuses on communities supporting , respecting and enhancing the lives of all their people, irrespective of date or place of birth, in addition to caring for their heritage, culture and environment. 

“I never cease to be awestruck by the incredible resilience, innovation, passion and commitment of communities all over the island of Ireland in this voluntary work.
“Our Pride of Place journey continues with the visionary support of Co-operation Ireland, the local authorities, and IPB, who all believe in the importance of communities participating in this prestigious competition. We are looking forward with great excitement to a wonderful event in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan November 2, hosted by Monaghan County Council.’

Chair of IPB Insurance John Hogan said; “As the mutual insurer to local authorities we are proud to be title sponsors of Pride of Place. Our local authority Members are essential to the ongoing success of the Awards, that recognise volunteers and groups doing tremendous work in their communities. 

“As the only all-island community awards, it is important that the awards are hosted in a different regional location annually reflecting the diversity of the island north and south. I am pleased today to announce that we are providing a hosting grant of €10,000 to provide additional support for local authorities in maximising the impact of accommodating these prestigious awards.”