Winner: Broadford, Co Limerick

Summary
The village of Broadford (population 295) some 35 miles from Limerick city is at the foot of the Mullaghareirk mountains, in the Golden Vale. It includes, amongst its notables, the bardic poet Dabhaí de Brúdair. In recent times, the south Limerick area has suffered a number of factory closures, particularly in the area of poultry processing, including Castlemahon and Kantoher, and the amalgamation of large dairy factories. For the past 30 years the Broadford Development Association has undertaken a number of projects to maintain the cohesion of this rural community. This includes the re-development of the national school for use as a community centre; development of sheltered housing with day care facility; development of community crèche; development of an arboretum and millennium garden; and upgrading of community facilities. The Enterprise Centre was completed in 2011 and the playground was developed in 2013. In 2014, the upgrading and re-routing of the rural walks with signage took place.
Community Contact: Mary Lee Geary [email protected]

Citation
No project is too daunting or initiative too onerous for the category winning community. They have undertaken a prodigious amount of work through the years including developing social housing, providing great sporting facilities, building an enterprise centre and many other initiatives. This above all is a caring community with a wonderful cohort of young people justifiably and demonstrably proud of their place.

Runners up:
– Rathdangan, Co Wicklow
– Rosemount, Co Westmeath