Two West Cork nominees for national community awards

A COMMUNITY shop in Courtmacsherry and the Celtic Ross Hotel have been listed among the finalists in this year’s Community and Council Awards.

The organisers of the annual awards scheme – IPB Insurance and the Local Authorities Members Association – confirmed that over 200 nominations were received and that more than 120 entries have been shortlisted across 22 categories.

The Courtmacsherry Community Shop is one of nine finalists in the ‘Best Community-based Initiative’ category and the Celtic Ross Hotel is one of 11 finalists in the ‘Best Irish Business Working in the Community’ category.

Paul Hayes, a Sinn Féin councillor, who helped to establish the community shop in Courtmacsherry, said the news has been widely welcomed as ‘recognition of all the hard work that the volunteers have put into running the shop, tourist information and exhibition centre.’ 

The shop – which is run entirely by volunteers – is open seven days a week from 9am until 6pm. It is also open until 8pm on weekends and even offers a parcel pick-up service at no charge to its customers.

Neil Grant, who is the general manager of the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, said he was delighted to hear that the hotel is in the running for the Best Irish Business Working in the Community.

He said: ‘It is recognition on a national level. We always take pride in supporting the local community. To be nominated, and to be a finalist, is a great honour.’

Since being established 11 years ago, the Community and Council Awards have grown in popularity with nominations for development and recreational projects increasing year on year.

This year’s Community and Council Award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, hosted by RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey, on Saturday, February 4th next.