Four groups chosen to represent Limerick at Pride of Place Awards

LIMERICK City and County Council (LCCC) has selected the four groups that will represent Limerick in this year’s IPB Pride of Place Competition.

Representing the county will be Foynes Flying Boat Museum in the Community Tourism Initiative category, Glenbrohane Local Hub for Community Wellbeing Initiative, Templeglantine in the Population 1,000 – 2,000 section and Thomondgate Residents Association in the Urban Neighbourhood under 3000 category.

Each group holds a special festival day showcasing their work and its impact on the community for the visiting judging panel. The judging will take place on July 15 and 16, 2025.  

The purpose of the competition, which is in its 23rd consecutive year, is to acknowledge and celebrate the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. 

The competition is based on communities or groups demonstrating the pride they have in their place. It is also important they demonstrate “real partnership with their local council and state agencies” and show that all sectors of the community are included. 

The 2025 winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held on Saturday, November 7, 2025 hosted by LCCC in The Strand Hotel, Limerick city. 

The All-Island competition is run in conjunction with Co-operation Ireland, local authorities North and South and is supported by IPB. It aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society along with generating awareness, respect and inclusion for every facet of society. 

Limerick has had both first-place winners and runner-ups for the last three years of the competition.

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Mayor of Limerick John Moran said: “It is a great honour for Limerick to host this year’s IPB Pride of Place Awards. These awards celebrate the spirit of community, the power of collaboration, and the pride people take in shaping their local areas. Limerick has long been recognised for its outstanding community spirit, and this year is no exception.

“Our four nominated groups—Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Glenbrohane Local Hub, Templeglantine, and Thomondgate Residents Association—are strong contenders and once again highlight Limerick’s strong reputation of achievement in this prestigious competition. Their dedication and innovation reflect the very best of what Pride of Place represents.”

Cllr Catherine Slattery, Príomh Comhairleoir of LCCC, added: “Each of the four selected Limerick groups showcase the pride they hold in their local heritage and environment while demonstrating the powerful impact of community-led initiatives. They are shining examples of what can be achieved when communities come together with vision, compassion, and dedication.”

Anne Rizzo, acting senior executive officer, Community Development, LCCC, said: “Pride of Place is a competition that acknowledges the daily efforts and endeavours of communities across the length and breadth of Limerick. It provides an opportunity for those local communities to showcase the unique spirit that exists.

“Limerick City and County Council is delighted to be taking part in the IPB Pride of Place competition again in 2025, and we are looking forward to hosting the national awards event here in Limerick in November. I wish to acknowledge the great efforts the four chosen groups have made, and there is no doubt in my mind, they will do Limerick proud and I wish them the very best of luck.” 

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Further details on this year’s groups:  

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Spearheaded by Margaret O’Shaughnessy and supported by volunteers, the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum was founded through a community-backed share issue and fundraising campaign.

The museum celebrates the town’s unique role in early aviation and maritime history. Housed in the original terminal building of the former Foynes Airport, the museum preserves the story of the transatlantic flying boat era, including the invention of Irish Coffee and the town’s role as a vital aviation hub in the 1930s-40s. It features interactive exhibits, a full-size replica of a Boeing 314 Clipper, and film memorabilia from actress Maureen O’Hara, who had ties to the area.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “For locals, the museum is more than a tourist attraction – it’s a cultural cornerstone. It produces local pride, tourism-related employment, and acts as an education resource for schools and visitors. Events and exhibitions hosted at the museum bring the community together, promoting heritage awareness and strengthening Foynes’ identity as a town with a proud and globally significant past.”

Glenbrohane Local Hub

Glenbrohane, a quaint rural village in Limerick, is nestled at the foothills of the Sliabh Riadh Mountain. Just 3km from the main route connecting Limerick city and Mitchelstown, Cork, this tranquil community is often hailed as a “hidden gem” by visitors.

A spokesperson for the community explained: “However, this tightknit village of 430 residents has endured profound sorrow. The loss of several individuals from Glenbrohane and nearby communities to suicide has left deep wounds, bringing grief and unanswered questions. This period of reflection sparked a determined effort to foster mental health and wellbeing within the community.”

From this place of sadness emerged an inspiring vision: the creation of a community hub aimed at enhancing social connections and support. The project’s goal is clear: to establish a welcoming space where locals can gather, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and share conversations, and to provide additional services focused on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, addressing the challenges of rural and social isolation in Glenbrohane and its surrounding areas.

Templeglantine

Teampall an Ghleanntáin, meaning ‘the church of the little glen’, stands as a central landmark in Templeglantine, alongside Halla Inse Bhán. The area boasts a “vibrant sporting community” with active GAA, camogie, and soccer clubs, while also nurturing a “deep-rooted tradition of Irish culture,” particularly in traditional dance and music. As part of the Sliabh Luachra region, the parish plays a key role in preserving and celebrating this musical heritage.

The opening of the Limerick Greenway has significantly benefited the village, attracting visitors and providing a valuable space for local wellbeing. Templeglantine is home to a strong network of volunteers who collaborate across various clubs and organizations, driving community projects forward. 

In recent years, efforts have focused on upgrading facilities; enhancing biodiversity; increasing social inclusion and cultural diversity, having recently joined with the Sikh community to plant a sacred forest. Currently, the “most ambitious initiative to date” is underway, developing a mobility hub, an all-weather pitch, and a natural recreation space.

Thomondgate Residents Association

“Our community, steeped in history and nestled along the River Shannon between King John's Castle and Thomond Rugby Stadium, has undertaken numerous initiatives to enhance our neighbourhood,” a spokesperson for the association said.

“Recognized as an Architectural Conservation Area, Thomondgate reflects a deep heritage while fostering a vibrant and diverse community.

“We have proudly earned accolades in the Going for Gold Competition—securing Bronze in 2023 and Gold in 2024. Our environmental efforts include biodiversity planting, artistic street enhancements with murals and decorated bollards, and a Climate Action Program that introduced native Irish trees and hedging to beautify and sustain the area. Additionally, we’ve created a remembrance garden in honor of a late resident.

“This summer, we are excited to host our first Active Healthy Community Playday, in collaboration with LCCC and Limerick Sports Partnership, bringing together children of all ages for a day of fun and activity.”