The Bingo Wings Project with Fidget Feet and St. Gabriel’s Orthotic Centre have been announced as winners at this year’s All Ireland Community & Council Awards. The ceremony presented by IPB Insurance and Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) took place in Croke Park Stadium, Dublin. The prestigious awards are in their 14th year and recognise and celebrate community groups and councils working together across Ireland.
They highlight the extraordinary work carried out within communities and reward unsung heroes for the phenomenal contribution they make throughout the year. With over 200 entries received, there were 24 well deserving winners crowned in the various different categories.
Social enterprises, local authorities, organisations, projects and individuals working within the communities across Ireland all entered this years’ event, which experienced the highest level of competition yet. This year entrants were required to provide information on the project they were submitting, the people involved and their achievements over the past year.
The Bingo Wings Project won the Best Arts/Culture (Incl. Festivals & Events) category. Over 30 community groups and families (8 – 90 years old) took part in circus workshops and bingo games across Limerick, Kerry and Donegal organised by Fidget Feet, to promote health, well-being, inclusivity and community, and the opportunity to be part of a professional circus theatre show in an ambitious project with Ireland’s leading circus company.
St. Gabriel’s Orthotic Services won Best Social Enterprise at the awards. St Gabriel’s Orthotics provide orthotic treatments for children with disabilities throughout the Midwest of Ireland. The orthotic devices are essential treatments that help children with disabilities to stand, walk, run and play. In 2019, St. Gabriel’s Orthotics provided 704 orthotic interventions for children with complex needs throughout the Midwest of Ireland.
There were prizes on the double for The Bays Training Centre, Moyross, which scooped SILVER awards in two categories – Best Education/ Training Initiative and Best Community Based Initiative. While The Urban Digital Co-op & Community Hub won BRONZE in the Best Business Working with the Community category.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Sheahan said: “A huge congratulations to the Limerick winners of the All Ireland Community & Council Awards and to those who were shortlisted. Your commitment to the communities you work with and in is very much in evidence. The work being carried out as part of the projects is very important and have a significant impact in the respective local communities.”
Commenting on the winners at this year’s awards, IPB Insurance Chairman George Jones said, “The vision, variety and social impact reflected through the community projects shortlisted tonight is hugely inspiring. I would like to congratulate all the winners chosen from over 150 All-Ireland finalists. Community spirit is the cornerstone of Ireland’s societal heritage and therefore it is very important that we continue to recognise the valuable work being undertaken at a grass roots level. I would also like to compliment all 31 local authorities across the country that continue to give great leadership and support to their communities in creating better places to live, work and socialise. I wish everyone involved continued success with their endeavours into the future.”
For more information on the All Ireland Community & Council Awards please see lamaawards.org.
