Cork City Celebrates Outstanding Success at All-Island Pride of Place Awards

29/10/2026

Five Awards for Cork City Organisations and Cork City Council at Prestigious Ceremony in Dublin.

Cork City celebrated a remarkable evening of success at the IPB Pride of Place Awards 2026, held on 24 October 2026 at the Convention Centre Dublin, with community organisations and Cork City Council receiving recognition at one of the most prestigious community awards programmes on the island of Ireland.

Organised by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place Awards recognise and celebrate the vital contribution communities make to society, highlighting excellence in community development, inclusion, wellbeing, sustainability and civic pride.

Leading the celebrations for Cork City was NICHE Community Health Project, whose NICHE Community Garden was named the overall winner in its category, earning all-island recognition for its outstanding work in climate action, biodiversity, community participation and environmental sustainability.

There was further success for BALANCE Children's Charity, which secured Runner-Up honours in its category. For almost four decades, BALANCE has provided essential supports and opportunities for children and young adults with additional needs and their families, creating meaningful pathways for participation, inclusion and personal development.

Graffiti Theatre Company was also recognised with a Runner-Up Award in its category, reflecting its longstanding commitment to community arts, creativity and engagement. Through its innovative programmes and outreach work, Graffiti Theatre has enriched the lives of children, young people and communities throughout Cork City and beyond.

In another notable achievement, Boxing Clever Cork received a Special Award in recognition of its transformative work supporting individuals in addiction recovery. Through a combination of fitness, education, mentoring and wellbeing supports, the organisation has helped many participants build confidence, resilience and positive futures.

Also representing Cork City on the national stage was Meitheal Mara's Youth Project Bádóireacht, which was nominated following its success at local authority level. While it was not successful in securing a national award on this occasion, the project was recognised for its outstanding contribution to youth development, maritime skills and community participation. Having previously secured a Pride of Place Award in 2015, the project once again showcased the quality and impact of its work and was unfortunate not to add a further accolade on the night.

The celebrations were further enhanced when Cork City Council received the Council Community Engagement Award, recognising the local authority's commitment to fostering strong partnerships with communities and supporting initiatives that promote inclusion, participation and community-led development across the city.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Damian Boylan, said:

"The Pride of Place Awards shine a light on the extraordinary work taking place in communities across the island of Ireland, and I am immensely proud to see Cork City represented so strongly among this year's award recipients and nominees.

The success achieved by NICHE, BALANCE, Graffiti Theatre and Boxing Clever reflects the passion, commitment and innovation that exist within communities throughout our city. These organisations make a real difference to people's lives every day, creating opportunities, promoting inclusion and strengthening community connections.

I would also like to acknowledge Meitheal Mara's Bádóireacht Project, which represented Cork City with distinction. Having previously won a Pride of Place Award in 2015, the project once again demonstrated the value of its work in supporting young people through maritime heritage, skills development and community participation.

I am particularly delighted that Cork City Council received the Council Community Engagement Award. This accolade reflects the strength of the partnerships that exist between the Council, communities and voluntary organisations across the city. It recognises our shared commitment to ensuring that communities are empowered, supported and at the heart of Cork's continued development.

On behalf of the people of Cork, I extend my sincere congratulations to all involved. These achievements are a testament to the spirit, resilience and pride that make Cork such a vibrant and inclusive city."

The achievements of Cork City's representatives highlight the strength and diversity of community activity taking place across the city. Competing against some of the strongest community initiatives from across Ireland and Northern Ireland, Cork's award recipients demonstrated excellence in community engagement, social inclusion, wellbeing, creativity, youth development and environmental sustainability.

Their success on the all-island stage is a testament to the dedication of volunteers, community leaders, staff and participants who work tirelessly to strengthen communities and improve quality of life throughout Cork City.