Two Kilkenny communities bursting with pride after major wins

Two Kilkenny communities are bursting with pride after winning major awards over the weekend in Donegal.

Newpark Close, Kilkenny city won the Urban Neighbourhoods section of the of the IPB Pride of Place gala awards ceremony in Letterkenny on Saturday night.

And Ballykeeffe amphitheatre picked up one of the Special Awards. The judges said the ampitheatre was maintained by a dedicated volunteers and that it was a superb, unique and environmentally sympathetic venue that was a platform for many activities particularly in the performing arts.

The judges were very impressed by Newpark Close and said in their citation: The very impressive winner of the Urban Neighbourhood category is a long standing community development movement, which was set-up as a response to social exclusion and isolation.

Over the years the unfailing and continued intergenerational investment in the community both voluntary and financial has led to the addition of many wonderful amenities and services. The sustained efforts of this community over the years to build on and harness the success of previous generations truly inspired the judges."