Driving force in Cranmore community honoured with award

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The second recipient of the Tommy Higgins Community Recognition Award, Tom Clarke, was presented with his award at a function in the Cranmore co-op workshop this week in recognition of him giving a quarter of a century in a volunteering capacity to the greater Cranmore area.

A resident of Racecourse View, Cranmore, Tom Clarke has taken on leadership roles as a community representative, became a board member of Cranmore co-op and continues to volunteer to make his community a better place to live for all.

Tom recently helped lead an initiative to address anti-social behaviour and dumping in his estate as well as piloted a dog-litter bin project. He is the force behind the latest clean up and reinvigoration of the disused basketball court at Racecourse View, where that space will come back into productive use for the whole community in 2026. He is the representative for the Cranmore co-op on the Sligo Local Community Safety Partnership - a collaborative forum who’s aim is to foster community safety in collaboration with community organizations, local representatives and state agencies.

In addition, Tom advocates on behalf of the youth in his community, highlighting the need for safe play spaces as well as accessible sport and leisure programmes for youth. He is dedicated to the development and growth of his community.

Congratulating Mr Clarke on his award, Cllr Ann Higgins, daughter of the late Tommy Higgins said, “As a family, we are honoured to award the Tommy Higgins Community Spirit Award to Tom Clarke. Not only does Tom represent the values of service to the community which our father stood for, but he also demonstrates the gift of aging well. He is the perfect embodiment of the values that this award represents.”

A congratulatory letter from President Connolly was also presented which acknowledges Tom’s dedication and commitment that he has made and continues to bestow to his community.

Cllr Ann Higgins explained the background to The Tommy Higgins Community Recognition Award saying, “It is a family led initiative to honour the memory and legacy of our late father Tommy Higgins, former Mayor of Sligo and Freeman of the Borough. To recognise the often unseen contribution by those who quietly and diligently carry out acts of service for their community, with no formal recognition sought or offered.

“As a family, people continue to share with us Dad’s countless unknown or unseen acts of his kindness and generosity. Taken individually, these small acts had a big impact on people’s lives and the lives of their family. This award celebrates how small acts of kindness and active citizenship can help in bettering the lives of others.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.