Sligo Life Through the Lens of the Community and Voluntary Sector

Sligo PPN community groups capture life on camera with Minister Joe O’Brien stepping in as guest judge

The Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development has taken part in an initiative by Sligo PPN to capture Sligo life through the lens by community groups.

Minister Joe O’Brien who has special responsibility for Community Development and Charities took part in the initiative that invited 500 community groups across the county to tell their story on their smartphone.

In choosing the overall winner, Minister O’Brien said the photo by Ruth Le Gear from Sligo Children’s Community Garden depicts the wonder of intergenerational storytelling.

The Minister says, “Modern Life does not always allow the learning and interaction between generations that were taken for granted in times past. This is a really important picture that facilitates the interaction, and its impact is encapsulated beautifully in the playful pose by the grandfather with the Elderflower on his nose!”

Sligo PPN, Network Coordinator Sarah Wetherald says, “the essence of life in Sligo can be captured by the work of our community and voluntary sector, but often, it happens under the radar.”

After a summer of snapping, Sligo PPN rounded up six judges and this began and began the difficult selection process which took place in the Model Niland. The judges are:
• Hugh McConville, Professional photographer, and community activist
• Marie-Louise Blaney, Education Curator, The Model Niland
• John Feerick, CE Sligo Leader Partnership Company Clg
• Ciara Herity, Manager Sligo Volunteer Centre
• Stephen Cunningham, Project Engineer & Week of Possibilities team, AbbVie Sligo
• Mark Kupczak, Chair Sligo PPN Secretariat

Sligo County Council were also hugely impressed by the submissions and stepped in to sponsor a new category ‘Chief Executives Choice’ with Martin Lydon selecting the image he felt best celebrated the Sligo community.

Category winners

A total of 89 photographs were received from member organisations.

The judges were overwhelmed by the quality, creativity and sense of community depicted in all entries.

Sarah Wetherald says, “We are so proud of what our community groups have captured, but more than that, what they do for Sligo, every single day. This showcase in photos, simply tells part of the story. But what a wonderful story we now can share with everyone.”

The 1st Place Winners

 

• Minister’s Selection: Sligo Children’s Community Garden
• Chief Executive’s Choice: Achonry Farmers Market
• Bringing a Smile: Sligo Folk Park
• Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity: Sligo Lawn Bowls Club
• Shligo Shtyle: Medb’s Dragon Warriors
• Environment: Cranmore Community Cooperative

 

The winners of each category receive €500, while second and third place received €350 and €150 respectively. Highly commended will also receive a small token of recognition.

All entries will now form a virtual exhibition and showcased on the SligoPPN.ie website and social networks and will be used to showcase the great work of the community and voluntary sector in the North West.

Sligo PPN are also planning to stage a gallery exhibition of all entries to be hosted in Sligo City Hall.