Tipperary's Knockmealdowns Active showcases its tourism initiatives to Pride of Place judges

Knockmealdown Active members welcomed the Pride of Place judging team to Newcastle on Monday, August 12 to assess the group’s nomination in the Community and Wellness category for the 2024 Pride of Place competition.

The community group that runs the annual St Declan’s Way walking events, Bay Lough Kayaking and Knockmealdown Adventure Races, has been nominated for the prestigious awards by Tipperary County Council.

In 2024, it is expected Knockmealdown Active will host almost 4,000 people across all of its events in south Tipperary and west Waterford, which run from March to September.

The judges Eddie Sheehy and Liam Hannaway were accompanied by Angela Sheehan of Tipperary County Council.

The Pride of Place presentation began with a warm welcome from Cllr Máirín McGrath. This was followed by great words of encouragement from Knockmealdown Active Chairman Joe Byrne following which Gráinne Moynihan outlined the group’s main achievements since it was founded in 2012.

Several guests participated in the presentation, explaining the impact of Knockmealdown Active and its events on their personal lives, their schools and community groups.

These guests included Kevin Gough, Principal of Ballycurrane NS, Clashmore, Fr Denis Luke O’Hanlon of Mount Melleray Abbey, Clare Ryan of Lough Kent, New Inn and Cllr Andy Moloney of Poulmucka.

Edwin Fitzgerald of Clonmel, who is 95-years-old also spoke about his participation in the annual St Declan’s Way walks and the impact these events have had on him.

Deputy Mattie McGrath TD spoke following the presentation, praising the group for the extent of their voluntary efforts.

The judges concluded in their feedback that the achievements of the group are exceptional and their energy, enthusiasm and passion is hugely obvious and really admirable.

Following the presentation, the group met Catherine McCraith and a group of walkers on St Declan’s Way at Goatenbridge. Catherine spoke about her efforts to tackle mental health challenges in the younger generation and how Knockmealdown Active helped her in the early days of this journey.

As the sun shone, the judges travelled to Bay Lough where they went on a boat tour of the lake, before meeting Amy Coffey, a coach with the local Brian Borus underage ladies football team and Dee Murphy, who has kayaked with special needs adults on the lake.

The ladies football team were kayaking as the judges began their boat journey, using the experience as value team building time.

The morning concluded with lunch at The Market Stone, Clogheen.

Knockmealdown Active thanks all involved in making the day such a great success, especially Angela Sheehan of Tipperary County Council and John O’Neill of Ardfinnan who captured the day so well with his photographs.