Julianstown

Pride of Place Success

Julianstown scooped two significant awards Friday night in the annual Meath County Council Pride of Place Awards. The local authority sponsored intiative rewards significant efforts of local communities to improve their areas and is hotly contested county-wide. For the first time ever Julianstown participated in this event and up to 25 volunteers worked over the Summer to clear over grown areas of the village and plant new flower beds.

A group of eight made the trek to Warrenstown for the annual awards ceremony to join with approximately 1000 people from all over Meath. The ceremony was attended by County Manager Tom Dowling, Cathaoirleach Cllr Brain Fitzgerald and Minister Noel Dempsey.

In his speech Minister Dempsey acknowledged the efforts of Meath to inspire pride in itself despite significantly less resources that the likes of West Cork and Kerry. Indeed it is a tribute to the council to continue funding this program despite the sever funding issues faced today. There is no doubt that this project has the personal support of the local authority management and the elected representatives.

After a fine meal and a couple of glasses of wine the ceremony commenced. Julianstown entered in the 500-1500 population category and there was utter amazement which quickly turned to joy when Julianstown was announced as the overall winner in this category. Particular mention was made of planting and shots of the picturesque cottages and old lime kiln were displayed.



There was even more good news when the village was also awarded a special achievement award for the efforts of taking the village "by the scruff of its neck" and cleaning it up. Fine Newgrange crystal vases were awarded as well as a significant cash award to be used for future work.

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posted by FPL @ 1:24 PM