Laois Community & Voluntary Awards Best Kept Residential Estate 2024 #laoisawards24

Droimnín Retirement Village Residents Association in Stradbally won the new Best Kept Residential Estate at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2024.

This award recognises the hard work and dedication shown in residential estates throughout Laois, the great pride people have in their own communities, the value of our biodiversity and how groups continue to put in a huge effort, on behalf of the places where they live.

Droimnin Village Residents Association volunteers were recognised for the huge amount of hours they put in maintaining the estate and ensuring it’s in pristine condition. The group have planted medium-sized trees such as birch, oak, rowan, whitebeam, apple and cherry blossom, some donated by the National Tree Council of Ireland.

They also have native apple and pear trees in their small orchard area. The group send out regular newsletters to ensure residents are kept informed of local events in the town.

They liaise with the Electric Picnic committee to transport residents to visit the EP site and go to our local pub for refreshments and entertainment during this festival time.

Clive Davis, Peoples First Credit Union presented the Residents Association with their prize while the runners-up in this category was Oakleaf Place Residents Association in Portlaoise. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The following is the full list of nominees in the section who also received Certificates of Achievement for their contribution to their communities.

The other nominations in this category were:

• Hillview Drive Residents Group
• Graigue na hAbhainn Residents Association.

The Best Kept Residential Estate award recognises the hard work and dedication shown in residential estates throughout Laois, the great pride people have in their own communities, the value of our biodiversity and how groups continue to put in a huge effort, on behalf of the places where they live. This award is sponsored by the Environment Section of Laois County Council.

The award, which was sponsored by People First Credit Union, was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 8.  

This is the 15th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

The following are the nominee profiles for the Best Kept Residential Estate: 

Hillview Drive Estate Residents Groups: The voluntary group of residents was established to maintain the green area at the centre of the estate and revitalise the large flower bed at the back of the estate. The group have also made a number of planters for around the green area, as well as a bench with flower bed sections. Several trees have also been planted as a backdrop for the large flower beds and weeding is an ongoing process.

Droimnin Village Residents Association: All Association volunteers put a huge amount of hours maintaining the estate and ensuring it’s in pristine condition. The group have planted medium-sized trees such as birch, oak, rowan, whitebeam, apple & cherry blossom some donated by the National Tree Council of Ireland. They also have native apple & pear trees in their small orchard area. The group send out regular newsletters to ensure residents are kept informed of local events in the town. Additionally, they liaise with the Electric picnic committee to transport residents to visit the EP site and go to our local pub for refreshments and entertainment during this festival time.

Oakleaf Place Residents Association: This year the Association has brought the estate to an even higher standard working closely with Portlaoise Tidy Towns. The works carried out weekly are a credit to the group as they strive to maintain the pristine condition in Oakleaf Place.

Graigue na hAbhainn Residents Association: The Graigue na hAbhainn Residents Association was set up in 2022 with the aim of developing and improving the standard of living and encouraging community involvement for all residents living in the estate. The group is made up of approx. 10 voluntary residents with the estate having 77 households. The Residents Association are involved in organising family fun days in the estate. Last year they held a family BBQ on the green area where we had loads of fun games and activities for the children, and cooked up a BBQ for all of the residents.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live is honoured to be the media partner.