Winner: Douglas, Co Cork

Summary
Douglas Community Association was originally founded in 1969 to acquire with Cork County Council, a 5.5 acre site in the heart of Douglas as a Community Park. The facilities include a playground, basketball area, jogging paths, exercise equipment and Community Centre built in 1980’s containing a Community Pre-school & Playgroup, Douglas Meals on Wheels (currently doing 30 meals per day) and Douglas Tidy Towns (functioning since 2001). Currently a large two storey extension is being built, which will include state of the art kitchen facilities allowing 70 meals per day, a new community room, and youth facilities on 1st floor. Located at Church Road, Douglas neighbours include Douglas ICA founded in 1950, Douglas Lions, who manage 18 apartments and receptions rooms in a complex built in the last 25 years, the National Schools including St. Luke’s, St. Columba’s Boys and Girls, The Gaelscoil and Douglas Community School.
Community Contact: Billy Coleman [email protected]

Citation
This visit was very special where the judges met an excellent group of volunteers and welcoming people who worked for a long number of years through the growth of what is now a very built-up urban area. There was great pride in the area and a very participative audience at the judging with representatives from the ICA, Meals on Wheels, Tidy Towns, Park events etc. The support from business, Councils (City/County) and other agencies was very significant. The planning and co-ordination of this group’s activities has helped sustain it since 1969.

Runner up: Donabate & Portrane, Fingal Council Area, North Dublin