Final stages of judging for the 2026 IPB Pride of Place Competition in Mayo will take place on the 22nd and 23rd July 2026.
IPB Pride of Place Competition in association with Co-operation Ireland, is an all-island competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and the Local Authorities. The Pride of Place competition celebrates the efforts and endeavours of communities throughout Ireland, to make their place the best place to live. The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve the daily lives of people in their communities. https://www.prideofplace.ie/
Mayo County Council has nominated three groups for Pride of Place 2026. The groups are:
Clogher Environmental Group CLG – Population 300-1000 Category
Ballina Autism Friendly Town – Inclusive Communities Category
Foxford Alzheimer’s Community Trust – Age Friendly Category
This “Judges Visit” is the final stage of the Pride of Place application.
Judges will visit Clogher on Wednesday 22nd July; Ballina Autism Friendly Town and Foxford Alzheimer’s Community Trust on Friday 23rd July. A comprehensive submission form has already been completed by the groups to Pride of Place. Members of the three communities are encouraged to support and be part of the Judges visit with these groups.
Speaking about this year’s competition Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Mayo County Council in supporting this year’s community groups said, “We as a Local Authority appreciate the work, commitment, and continued dedication to making Mayo look its best and adding value to the County. Mayo has a massive network of communities and the good work being done always starts on the ground in local communities. I would like to congratulate this year’s groups on their own achievements and on being nominated to represent Mayo in this National, prestigious competition. On behalf of Mayo County Council, I wish them every success with Pride of Place 2026. I also wish to congratulate the headline sponsor IPB as it celebrates 100 years as Ireland’s indigenous mutual insurer.”
Deirdre Finnerty, Head of Community Engagement on Pride of Place added, “It is a wonderful competition which showcases and highlights best practices in communities throughout Mayo. Mayo County Council and the Municipal Districts collaborate closely with our community groups in Mayo; we recognise and appreciate the level of volunteerism of all community groups which has helped to make Mayo a great place in which to live, visit, work and invest. Pride of Place is a way of acknowledging work carried out by our community groups and we wish the participating groups in Pride of Place 2026 continued success.”
Further information please email [email protected].
The Pride of Place award winners will be announced at the Awards night on the 24th October 2026 in the Convention Centre, Dublin.
ENDS
For press queries please contact:
Eileen O’Connor, Pride of Place Liaison Officer, Mayo County Council
[email protected] / 094 906411 or 087 2802580
Pictured below, 2025 Mayo winners: Cong Tidy Towns (runners up award in the Population 0-300 Category) and Achill Tourism (Community Tourism Initiative award)
