County Limerick Burial Grounds And Golden Mile Awards Take Place

29 community groups and voluntary organisations from across County Limerick received awards. Crean Development was named overall winner of the sixth annual Golden Mile Competition, which was sponsored this year by Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd. Councillor David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick Council presented the community organisation with a perpetual trophy crafted by John Ryan of Lickadoon, Ballyneety.

Caherelly was named overall winner of the Modern section of the Burial Ground competition, while Reilig Mhuire in Askeaton finished in second place. Meanwhile, Killeedy was named overall winner of the Ancient section of the competition with Annagh being announced as runner-up.

This evening’s ceremony featured a presentation from guest speaker John Murphy, who is a Clare-based wildlife documentary producer and a prominent member of Bird Watching Ireland.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Councillor David Naughton complimented the award winners in both competitions and thanked them for their commitment to enhancing the overall appearance of their respective communities. Councillor Naughton noted: "These award schemes demonstrate that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in County Limerick and long may it continue to be so."

The Cathaoirleach said the purpose of the Golden Mile competition is to foster pride in the country road-scapes. He continued: "The maintenance of the rural landscape is an important feature of our living environment and as the country roads act are the ‘front lines’ it is important that they are maintained and enhanced in an appropriate manner. Recognition of their importance as an integral part of our environment has brought together the various stakeholders including Limerick County Council, The Heritage Council, and environmental and community groups to work towards management and enhancement of safe and interesting stretches of roads. Above all, this competition provides an opportunity to work alongside your neighbour to improve your neighbourhood."

Commenting on the Burial Grounds awards, Councillor Naughton said: "The people of rural Ireland have always had a deep respect for their dead and, by extension, for their local burial ground. By hosting these awards each year Limerick County Council is showing its appreciation of the wonderful work being carried out by local burial ground committees throughout the County. Graveyards are sacred places with a very special function that sets them apart from the everyday things in life and by maintaining them local committees are continuing to promote this value."

Golden Mile Competition Winners 2009:
Crean Development (overall winner), Broadford Development Association Ltd (Communal Input), Croom Abu Walking Club (Hedges) Kilmeedy Community Development Group Ltd (Trees and Structures) and Kilteely / Dromkeen Tidy Towns Committee (Litter and Road Safety).

Burial Ground awards Electoral Area winners (Ancient section):
1st Annagh, 2nd Kilkeedy, 3rd Clonanna (Annacotty), 1st Ballinard, 2nd Kilflyn, 3rd Athneasy (Kilmallock), 1st Killeedy, 2nd Springfield, Broadford, 3rd Abbeyfeale (Newcastle West), and 1st Anhid, 2nd Rathkeale St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, 3rd Crecora old cemetery (Rathkeale).

Burial Ground awards Electoral Area winners (Modern section):
1st Caherelly, 2nd Doon, 3rd Castleconnell (Annacotty), 1st Kilfinane New, 2nd St. Joseph’s Cemetery Knocklong, 3rd Kilmallock (Kilmallock), 1st Ardagh, 2nd Feohanagh, 3rd Athea (Newcastle West) and 1st Reilig Mhuire Askeaton, 2nd Reilig Mhuire Croom, 3rd Kilcoleman (Rathkeale).

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:
- Interviewees are available on request. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High resolution images from the awards ceremony will be made available on www.dunphyprimages.com
- The Golden Mile competition seeks to raise awareness of the natural and built environment. It invites existing or new community groups to select a mile of county road that is safe for users and that has a sufficient variety of interest. This would include a mix of trees, hedgerows, stone walls, bridges, gates, stiles, houses old and new, farmyards and field entrances. These miles can be improved by their local communities. Safety can be increased by appropriate signage and the maintenance of verges. Removing rubbish and maintaining a litter free road immediately enhances the surrounds. Often very little will need to be done other than pick up the litter. More ambitious works such as the preservation of stone walls and planting of native species can be planned over a number of seasons. The competition offers the transfer of knowledge, information, expertise and skills both from within and without the community. The roadside hedgerows are one of our greatest assets from many aspects such as, wildlife habitats, trees, heritage, scenery and tourism. Many features of the built heritage remain to be rediscovered, such as gates, stiles, walls and bridges and these can encourage the retention of local craftsmanship and traditional styles. Research is encouraged into place names and local folklore, which can explain many of the quirks of our roads. Awareness of the natural and built heritage can help to integrate new development into the existing landscape and promote pride of local heritage in local communities.

Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900; (Fax) 00353-6839692; (Skype) dunphypr; (Email) media@dunphypr.com
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