Kenmare Community Nursing Unit comes out on top at the Community and Council Awards 2014

The LAMA Community & Council Awards 2014 in association with IPB Insurance took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Northwood Dublin recently. The Gathering, which celebrates Irish culture and history, took home a top award on the night the “National Impact Award”, having been nominated by the LAMA Awards esteemed judging panel.

First held in 2006, the LAMA Awards were created to recognise innovative local and national projects in the areas of infrastructure, community development, recreation and social impact initiatives. Councillor Hugh McElvaney, Chairman of the LAMA Association, said:

“There was a very high standard; the judges had a difficult task selecting the winners. It is great to get the opportunity to highlight and acknowledge excellent projects and initiatives at local, county and national level. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.” 

St. Patrick’s College in Cavan were big winners on the night taking home the award for “Best Educational Building” as well as the coveted “Grand Prix” Award, having received the highest average mark from the LAMA judging panel. Meanwhile Medieval Museum in Waterford also took home two awards on the night, ‘Best Heritage Project” and “Best Public Building”. 

Speaking after the awards, Cllr George Jones, Chairman of IPB Insurance, said:

“IPB Insurance have been supporting the LAMA Awards for many years and I am delighted to say that every year we have seen significant growth in the quality and innovation of the submitted projects. This year was no exception. Despite the challenges facing our country and in particular our Members, the local authorities, the vision and imagination of the sector augurs well for the future of our local communities.” 

Dublin saw four of their nominees collect a prestigious LAMA Award, most notably An Post for “Best Irish Business Working with the Community”, presented by  Dara Keogh from Geo Directory. Other big winners on the night included Louth County Council who won “Council of the Year”, sponsored by IPB Insurance, making them one of four winners from Louth to win an award on the night.  Local hero Daniel Hughes from  Roscommon fought off tough competition to win the “Emergency Response Volunteer of the Year”, while “In Humbert’s Footsteps” took home the sought after title of “The Gathering Event of the Year”,  presented by  Jim Miley from The Gathering.