#PrideOfPlace2025 #Donaghadee #DCDA #CommunityDevelopment #ArdsAndNorthDown #AllIrelandAwards #YouthVoiceNI #UlsterInBloom #BritainInBloom #DonaghadeeEvents #CommunityExcellence
Donaghadee, Northern Ireland – The Donaghadee Community Development Association (DCDA) has been officially selected as one of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s entries for the prestigious 2025 Pride of Place Awards—an all-Ireland initiative that celebrates outstanding contributions to community life.
DCDA will compete in the ‘Communities Over 5,000 People’ category, recognising their year-round efforts to enhance life in Donaghadee through environmental, cultural, tourism, and civic engagement projects.
Making Donaghadee a Better Place to Live, Work & Visit
A report presented to the Community and Wellbeing Committee described the DCDA as a proactive organisation that meets monthly to address local issues and improve the town for residents and visitors alike. The association collaborates with local businesses, schools, community clubs, and statutory bodies, including the Ards and North Down Borough Council.
“Their focus is on making Donaghadee a better place to live, work or visit,” the report stated. “DCDA delivers a wide range of activities spanning culture, arts, heritage, biodiversity, business, and tourism.”
Award-Winning Community Achievements
DCDA’s recent accolades and initiatives include:
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Four-time winners of Ulster in Bloom
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Winners of Britain in Bloom 2023 and nominees again for 2025
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Organisers of a summer festival attracting 20,000+ attendees
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Local shopping and business support campaigns
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Launch of a marine litter project involving local schools
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Persistent advocacy to resolve town car parking issues
DUP councillor James Cochrane, who proposed DCDA’s entry, praised the group as an “all year-round organisation.”
Alderman Martin McRandal (Alliance) echoed the sentiment, adding:
“It’s not just the breadth of their work but the quality of their work that stands out.”
Youth Voice Also Representing Borough
The second borough nomination for Pride of Place is Youth Voice, entered under the Community Youth Initiative category. Delivered by the borough’s Youth Service, the programme supports young people in leadership, citizenship, and communication development, all while fostering strong engagement with decision-makers and providing opportunities for accredited training.
“Youth Voice gives young people a platform to represent their peers, engage in meaningful dialogue on local issues, and build lifelong skills and connections,” said the committee report.
About the Pride of Place Awards
Founded in 2003, the Pride of Place Awards are coordinated by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with local authorities across the island. The awards aim to honour and spotlight the extraordinary work of community groups that have a tangible, positive impact on everyday life in towns, villages, and cities.
