By Michelle Crean

It was the first all-island awards since the COVID-19 lockdown - and a Killarney group won big for their community work.

KASI, the Killarney Immigrant Support Centre, was named the winner of the 'Community Resilience' category at an awards ceremony in the INEC, which was hosted by RTE’s Marty Whelan in front of the 400 community volunteers in attendance.

Judges chose KASI because of the wide range of support it gives the community while Corca Dhuibhne 2030/Dingle Peninsula 2030 received the 'IPB Pride of Place Climate Action Award'. The Reeks District were nominated in the ‘Islands and Coastal Communities’ category but missed out on an award.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 19-years-ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

It has since grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

Judges spoke of how impressed they were by the work being carried out by KASI.

“In addition to creating employment, raising revenue, and facilitating integration; this initiative also addresses social, economic and environmental issues with the aim of changing consumers behaviour on environmental issues, such as packaging waste and food waste.

“Relying heavily on volunteers from Killarney town, the centre has developed a strong working relationship with public and private sector agencies and has earned an outstanding reputation with the towns people.”