The Community and Council Awards 2017 took place last Saturday evening at a black tie gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Dublin. The awards recognise and celebrate community and councils together, providing a fantastic opportunity to highlight and celebrate the outstanding work done within communities and to ack- nowledge unsung heroes.
Fore Heritage Committee had reason to celebrate on the night after the Fore loop walk scooped the National Heritage Project Award.
Speaking to Topic following last weekend’s ceremony, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council Cllr. Frank McDermott, said the award was a long time coming, “The trail was first mooted by in 1986 by Jim Hearn, our County Engineer at the time along with County Manager, Jack Taaffe and Minister for Environment Rory Quinn, when he launched the social employment scheme which is now the Community Employment Scheme.”
Two metres-wide, the trail loops around the village of Fore. “In 2012 we applied for Leader funding and got a grant of €125,000 and Westmeath County Council put up €20,000,” said Cllr. McDermott. “Tenders were sought and contract was awarded and as you see it today is what it turned out to be.”
Cllr. McDermott said there have been a number of additions over the years including picnic tables, new wishing seats and thousands of flower bulbs which will appear in the Summer. “For the community and the Fore Heritage Committee and Amenity Group who are applicants for the prize, it will be a huge boost for promoting Fore from here on in.”
Speaking on the night of the awards, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney said: “The Community and Council Awards 2017 are a fantastic way of honouring the people, communities and organisations that continually deliver to their communities.”
Those interested can visit Fore next Sunday, 12 February, for a free guided tour with Heritage Guide Bartle D’Arcy at 2pm. The meeting place will be at the school.
