IPB Pride of Place

IPB Pride of Place in association with Co-operation Ireland is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities. Since the competition commenced in 2003, it has impacted on hundreds of thousands of people, all of whom are proud of their place. The competition is based on communities demonstrating directly to the judges their pride in their place by oral presentations where they highlight community activities, culture and many other aspects that contribute to their pride of place. It is also important that the community demonstrates a real partnership with their local authority and shows that all sectors of the community are included.

Group of seven people in formal attire on stage at an event, with one man raising a trophy in celebration. The backdrop displays event logos and text."}

The Nomination Process

The IPB Pride of Place Competition is open to all local community groups, but entries are by way of local authority only. Community groups interested in entering should contact their local council. Entries can be made in general population categories or in the ‘single issue’ categories. Single issue categories will be judged on the specifics of that specialist category. Population categories will be judged on all aspects of community living.

Each local authority may nominate groups in up to a maximum of five categories and one entry only in any individual category.

Meet the Team

The Project Delivery Team

Hazel Scoot is wearing red lipstick and a floral dress, standing outdoors with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

Hazel Scott

Pride of Place Project Manager

Jess Crisp is standing outside a white tent on a grassy area, wearing a pinstripe vest and pants with a white shirt. She has a red lanyard around her neck and is holding a beige coat and a black bag.

Jess Crisp

Pride of Place Project Support Executive

The Judges

  • Tom Dowling in a suit speaking at the IPB Pride of Place 2024 event in association with Co-operation Ireland. He is standing at a podium with event branding and logos.

    Tom Dowling

    Former Chief Executive of Meath and Carlow County Council

  • Man in a blue suit with a floral patterned tie.

    Liam Hannaway

    Former Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

  • Woman with white hair in a blue jacket and white lace blouse, smiling slightly, against a white background.

    Martina Moloney

    Former Chief Executive of Galway County Council

  • Man in suit and tie with glasses and mustache, smiling against gray background.

    Terry O Niadh

    Former Chief Executive of North Tipperary County Council

  • Woman smiling with short gray hair, wearing glasses, a pink cardigan, and a white shirt, set against a plain background.

    Katrina Murphy

    Director of Finance Leitrim County Council

  • Professional woman posing indoors next to plants

    Colette Byrne

    Former Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council

  • Smiling man wearing a sweater outdoors

    Declan Nelson

    Former Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council

  • Man wearing a blue shirt, standing in front of a wooden background.

    Tim Caffrey

    Former Chief Executive of Longford County Council

  • Smiling man wearing glasses and a blue shirt outdoors.

    Eddie Sheehy

    Former Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council

Tom Dowling speaking at a podium during the IPB Pride of Place event in 2013.

Our Chairperson

Tom Dowling is a former local government chief executive of Meath and Carlow County Councils, having held senior management positions in Dun Laoghaire Borough Council and Clare County Council. He is a Chartered Director and an internationally accredited Executive Coach, by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. He is also a high-level strategic advisor, motivational speaker, and trusted confidant.

Tom’s distinguished, and varied career involving local and central government and the community, voluntary and commercial sectors, also included lecturing in HR at Post-Graduate level with the Institute of Public Administration. Tom has a keen interest in community development and is the founder and chair of the Pride of Place awards which is now in its 23rd year. These awards are now the island of Irelands most prestigious community recognition awards. He is also strategic advisor and chair of the Bank of Ireland’s most enterprising town awards for the island of Ireland. He has recently been appointed chair of The Discovery Programme – Centre for Archaeology Research and Innovation, which is also all-island.

Our Partners

  • IPB Insurance logo, featuring stylized lowercase letters "ipb" with the word "insurance" below, and a circular design element above. White text on a transparent background.

    IPB Insurance

    IPB Insurance is proud once again to be headline sponsor of the IPB Pride of Place awards in association with Co-operation Ireland and Local Authorities, North and South. As the only 100% Irish owned mutual general insurance company, IPB Insurance protects local authority and ETB members and communities across the length and breadth of Ireland. IPB Insurance believes there is a better way of doing business and is delighted to be the first company to issue a social dividend to Irish society. Through active meaningful engagement with Members and their communities through Corporate Social Engagement (CSE), we believe we can truly make a difference.

    Find out more
  • Logo of Co-operation Ireland with the text 'working for a future together' under an arch design.

    Co-operation Ireland

    Co-operation Ireland works to promote and encourage interaction, dialogue, and practical collaboration between the peoples of Northern Ireland and between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our vision is of a peaceful and stable island where people of all backgrounds live and work together for a better future. Our Mission is to sustain peace by helping to build a shared and cohesive society. Co-operation Ireland does this by working in partnership with others on these islands to: Develop initiatives which address emerging challenges to peace. Facilitate understanding, positive relationships and co-operation across these islands, building a sense of interdependence. Create a supportive environment by building capacity, influencing policy, and developing collaboration at a strategic level. Share our learning and experience of peace building and practical co-operation internationally.

    Find out more