Pride of Place winning community council embarking on fundraising campaign for new projects in Ballyporeen

A south Tipperary community council that runs a wide range of social events and community activities for all ages and now plans to build an astro-turf pitch and walking path, has won a prestigious national Pride of Place award.

Ballyporeen Community Council received the top prize in the Population 300 to 1,000 category at the All-Ireland Pride of Place community awards in Kerry’s INEC Centre last week. The awards, hosted by RTÉ broadcaster Marty Whelan, were attended by 400 community volunteers from throughout the country.

James Hackett, Chairman of Ballyporeen Community Council, said it was fantastic to win the award as they were advised before the ceremony the chances of winning were very slim due to the excellence of the competition they were up against. “We couldn’t believe it,” he told The Nationalist.

Ballyporeen Community Council was praised by the Pride of Place judges for demonstrating “strong passion, initiative, and adaptability”.

“They are ambitious for the future and love what they do and make a valuable contribution to Ballyporeen and adjoining communities,” the judges added.

The variety of social events and activities the council is involved in organising shows why Tipperary County Council nominated the group for the award and why the Pride of Place judges were so impressed.

James said the council caters for all ages. It manages Ballyporeen Parochial Hall, the centre of community life in the village where social activities take place ranging from social dancing, kids’ cinema, senior citizens’ parties, cards and bingo nights to ICA meetings and karate classes.

A number of summer camps for children will be based at the centre this summer.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the running of many events but they are gradually returning to the hall with some due to resume this autumn.

The council is also involved in organising the Ballyporeen Music Maker Festival, the first event of which is a concert by soprano Regina Nathan in the parochial hall on Saturday, June 18 at 8pm. The second part of the festival will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and is currently being organised.

James said the community council has also set up a new Tidy Towns group boasting 28 volunteers and is about to embark on a major fundraising campaign for its next two big projects – the refurbishment of an old school house and development of an astro-turf pitch and community walking path.

He outlined that the community council has secured a €113,000 Capital Sports Grant for the sports facilities and €198,000 Town & Village Renewal Grant for the school house, which will be used as a venue for community activities when it’s redeveloped.

The council must now raise €50,000 matching funding for the two projects.

A Big Bally Breakfast event to raise funds for both projects will take place in the parochial hall takes place on June 5. The democratic structure of Ballyporeen Community Council also undoubtedly impressed the Pride of Place judges.

James said the council is composed of 22 members all representing a townland in the parish.

Council members are democratically elected by the residents of their townland every four years.

James thanked the community council’s members for all the work they do on behalf of their community.

He paid a special tribute to some long-standing members including Martin Neville, who is on the council since the visit of US president Ronald Reagan to the village in the 1980s, Mike Pyne, James Sheehan and Ann Casey.

He also paid tribute to Timmy McGrath, Tommy Kennealy and Ellen McEniry who recently retired from the council.

Another Pride of Place finalist was Down Syndrome Tipperary, which was a runner-up in the Community Wellbeing Initiative category.