1. Pop Category 0 – 250

Winner: Glenfarne , Co Leitrim
Glenfarne Community Development Trust has developed a range of services and initiatives, which boost the local area and enrich the fabric of community life. A recent flagship project involved the refurbishment of the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance, which as a renowned Dancehall was the inspiration of William Trevor’s book, the Ballroom of Romance. It now serves as a well-used community resource and tourist information centre, providing an exhibition of past community life and Drama, Dance, Exercise classes and other community activities.

The scenic area of Glenfarne is situated in a sparsely populated valley in north Leitrim, surrounded by mountains to the north and south with views eastward towards the glens of Cavan and Fermanagh and westward towards the Atlantic coastline. It is home to a beautiful mixed wooded demesne that straddles the western shoreline of Lough MacNean upper and accommodates the lower course of the Cornavannoge River.

Judges’ Citation
The judges really enjoyed their visit to this warm and welcoming remote community in a lovely scenic area in north Leitrim. Crucially this community recognises the value of its many wonderful environmental and cultural assets and realise the importance of making them work for the benefit of the whole community. To their great credit the community has restored for community and cultural use the iconic ‘Ballroom of Romance’ which is justifiably a great source of pride in the area. The plans for the future of Glenfarne are very exciting indeed.