National awards for Ennis Town Council and Celebrate Scattery Island

Ennis Town Council has tonight been named ‘Town/Borough Council of the Year’ at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, held in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

In a further coup for Clare Local Authorities, the Clare County Council nominated Celebrate Scattery Island festival was named winner of the ‘Community Gathering of the Year’ award, sponsored by The Gathering Ireland 2013. The event, which took place in July, was shortlisted from hundreds of Gathering initiatives submitted to the 10th annual awards scheme.

Commenting on Ennis Town Council’s award success, Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Mary Coote Ryan said: “In the months since the Local Government Bill to abolish all Town Councils in 2014 was published by the Minister for the Environment, the staff and Elected Members of Ennis Town Council have continued to work closely to deliver the wide range of important services that have been provided to the people of Ennis since the late 19th century. I am delighted that this work has been given official recognition at the Excellence in Local Government Awards.”

Ennis Town Manager Ger Dollard, who attended tonight’s ceremony in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel, commented: “This award reflects the important role played by the local authority as a service provider. The fact that the Purple Flag and Friar's Walk Coach Park initiatives were also shortlisted for other category awards underlines the extensive role played by the local authority in the development of the town.”

Ennis Town Council was presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Tipperary Crystal, as were the organisers of the Celebrate Scattery Island event.

Rita McCarthy of the Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group said: “With the support of Clare County Council and the County Clare Gathering Steering Committee, we held a hugely successful event during July during which hundreds of people visited the island, many for the first time. We are delighted to have received this award as it will help us in our ongoing efforts to promote the heritage value and historical significance of Scattery Island.”

Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordinator congratulated Scattery Island Heritage & Tourism Group on their award success and for their efforts in promoting “one of County Clare’s most important heritage sites”.

She continued: “This Gathering event helped to promote the island as a visitor destination in West Clare and also helped to inform locals and visitors to the County of its rich and varied history. We are delighted to have been able to support this Festival, which is one of almost 170 events and festivals coordinated by the County Clare Gathering Steering Committee during 2013.”

The Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards ceremony saw a total of 17 awards presented across a variety of categories including: Supporting Active Communities; Festival of the Year; Sports Development and Local Authority Economic Efficiencies. Awards will also be presented to the City/County Council of the Year and the Town/Borough Council of the Year. For more visit www.chambers.ie.
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