Tipperary project celebrated for climate action and biodiversity
A project supported by Tipperary County Council has scooped a prize at the recent IPB Pride of Place Awards.
The Cabragh Wetlands Centre, outside Thurles, was honoured with a runner up prize at the awards ceremony in the Climate Action and Biodiversity category.
The Tipperary group were runners up to Cork’s Tracton Biodiversity Group.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards started 23 years ago through a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.
Judges of the awards said that Cabragh Wetlands aims to provide visitors with a connection to nature.
"Cabragh Wetlands philosophy is to provide visitors with an emotional connection to nature. It does what it says it wants to do. When you walk around the ‘Cosmic Walk’ which invites you to contemplate and celebrate nature so you come away with a new perspective.
“Cabragh Wetlands makes a difference to individuals and groups because it creates a real sense of place and a pride of place that goes deep into the soul,” judges said.
The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place at the Strand Hotel in Limerick, with over 400 community volunteers attending.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran said that the awards are a celebration of community spirit.
"Limerick has been proud to welcome the IPB Pride of Place Awards. These awards are a celebration of community spirit and collaboration and they shine a light on the people and projects that make our towns and villages into the places we call home.
"For Limerick to host this event is a testament to the resilience and creativity of our communities, with plenty of success across our city and county in these awards over recent years,” he added.
“We are continuing to build a future rooted in pride, partnership and possibility in Limerick, while thriving on doing things differently,” Mayor Moran added.
Cabragh Wetlands is home to a number of native species, including the grey heron, bumble bees, as well as numerous varieties of dragon flies, flowers, seeds, grasses and reeds.
Established in 1993, Cabragh Wetlands was formed from a collective determination to preserve an extensive expanse of wetland ecosystems imperilled by the closure of the Thurles Sugar Factory and subsequent filling-in of settling pools.
Cabragh Wetlands offers tours to school groups as well as other groups, and is open to the public.