The Social Action Group Rathmore CLG was honoured at the All-Ireland Pride of Place community awards on Friday evening in Limerick.

The scheme won the Age Friendly Communities category, with Westmeath Community Development coming runner-up, along with the AgeWell group in Meath.

Cllr Martin Grady congratulated the Rathmore Social Action Group.

“As Mayor of Killarney Municipal District I want to pay a massive tribute to all participants and a massive congratulations to Rathmore,” he said “ This shows the hard work and dedication over the past 12 months and no doubt it will give them the motivation to continue on with consistent hard work and determination. They provide a great service and are a credit to themselves and the community they serve.

Judges praised the longevity of service.

“The Social Action Group are based in Rathmore and celebrate 50 years this year, testimony to a lot of hard work and persistence. What started a youth project wanting to make a different has developed into a significant service provider mainly for older people including the provision of social housing.

“The Social Action Group’s community centre Teach Íosagáin accommodates the needs of the wider community, particularly young people. It serves as a home for youth activities, including dance and disco, and is the canteen for the local secondary school. It provides a community gym, with reasonable membership fees, along with meeting rooms for wider community use. It really is the beating heart of the community,” said an official statement.

The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place in Limerick’s Strand Hotel, with 400 community volunteers in attendance.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 23 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

Two other Kerry projects were nominated for awards namely; Cúnamh Iveragh CLG and Cromane Community Council CLG.

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