Festina Lente Bray

horse5

On 16 July, The Judges Visited Festina Lente Bray, Co. Dublin

Festina Lente is a foundation which provides a range of training, occupational, learning and employment opportunities for people whose needs are not being met in mainstream services. They do this by offering courses for training, employment opportunities and community development.

The Judges were introduced to the people behind the equestrian centre, the walled gardens, and the green fingers of the garden centre.

horse1

Equestrian Centre Bray

At the Equestrian Centre, they were introduced to the horses which take part in services such as:

  • Therapeutic horse riding sessions
  • Horse education and caring
  • Special Olympics training

Afterwards, they visited the Walled Gardens which was leased by the organisation and refurbished through voluntarily funded work. Today it serves as a heritage site to a rich history that surrounds it.

horse3horse2 horse4

 

 

 

 

For more information, visit the Festina Lente Website or the Festina Lente Facebook.

“We Make It What It Is”

swin1

On 16 July, The Judges Visited Swinford, Co. Mayo.

A large crowd gathered on the day to help out with the judging. Mayo County Councillor Michael Smyth expressed how happy he was with the turnout saying,

We are only as strong as our weakest link. Many of our community members have worn their jerseys in support and have enjoyed success. Now they have stepped up to give back.

The day began at the Swinford Cultural Centre where they discussed ongoing projects and goals associated with Swinford, namely:

  • Tackling social exclusion
  • Establishment of resident’s associations
  • Provision of childcare facilities

swin3

The Busy Hub of Swinford

At the Swinford cultural centre, various organisations came out to represent their community. There were representations from the:

  • Fishing Club
  • Golf Club
  • Tri Sport Club
  • Walking and Swimming Clubs

For more information on Swinford community in Mayo, visit the Swinford website or check out the Swinford Facebook Page.

 swin2

 

 

Something For Everyone

On 18 July, The Judges Visited Doughiska, Co. Galway

During the Celtic Tiger the rate of house building far outpaced the development of infrastructure and services which left a vibrant, young, multi-cultural Doughiska without local services and places to meet.

With the backing of Galway City Council and NUI Galway, a group of local people formed the Doughiska, Roscam, and Ardaun Community Development Company, and quickly set about compiling a ‘community profile, needs analysis and action plan’ through a household survey.

Since then local people have worked together, to create a community based on the wishes identified by the people.

During the Judge’s visit, they got to visit newly opened facilities such as:

  • Schools
  • Family resource centre, Church, and primary care centre
  • An improved bus service
  • Adult education courses
  • Pre-school, after school, and youth services
  • A new park and woodland area which is maintained both by the Galway City Council and local volunteer group Friends of Merlin Woods

dro1

Connect Intercultural Group Annual Festival attended by:

  • Brownies
  • Ladybirds and Guides
  • Merlin Woods FC  underage soccer team
  • Women’s social  group

These volunteer groups told the judges of the many ad hoc events such as:

  • Summer camps
  • National play day
  • Recreation week
  • National Bike Week

The Judges got to see that in Doughiska, there really is something for everyone. For more information about Doughiska, check out the Family Resource Centre Facebook