Donegal Local Development Awards honour community groups

The Donegal Local Development CLG’s (DLDC) Community Recognition Awards were presented on Thursday 5 November at the Finn Valley Centre.

The ceremony, hosted by Highland Radio’s Lee Gooch, celebrated the work of community groups and social enterprises across Donegal. Of the 120 nominations received, judges selected 16 finalists.

Winners received certificates and handcrafted awards made by Kilmacrennan Men’s Shed. DLDC CEO Padraic Fingleton praised the finalists for their passion, commitment and the positive impact they have on local communities.

Key awards included Best Social Inclusion Community Group to Creeslough Parents Inclusive Association, Best Small Social Enterprise/Community Organisation to Extra Time Kilmacrennan, and Best Large Social Enterprise/Community Organisation to Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise Centre (CAKE). The Best Community Environmental Impact Project was awarded to Blue Beyond Borders (Killybegs Tourist Information CLG).

The Hall of Fame Award was presented to Joe Boland for more than 40 years of service to Donegal’s community sector, including roles with Cara House, the PPN, LCDC, JPC and the Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership, as well as two decades with Scouting Ireland.

The event was supported by sponsors The Kernan Group, Highland Radio, PGIM Ireland and ATU Donegal.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Jonathan Cooper / Pexels.