Kildare celebrates success at 2026 IPB Pride of Place Awards
Two Kildare community groups were presented with awards at the Convention Centre, Dublin
Kildare County Council has congratulated Community Cancer Caregivers and Carbury Village Residents Association following their recent success at the 2026 IPB Pride of Place Awards, held at the Convention Centre Dublin.
The awards celebrate the achievements of community groups, volunteers and local organisations, recognising the dedication and commitment of those working to make a positive difference in their local community.
Community Cancer Caregivers won a special award in the Community Wellbeing Category. The group has a vision of a community where patients diagnosed with cancer no longer feel isolated, but are instead supported in their community, by their community.
Their aim is to give patients the time to care for themselves and focus on their treatment, while the community provides home care packages to support families with children aged 16 and under.
What began as a local response to families in crisis has grown into a trusted support network helping families across Kildare and beyond, while remaining deeply rooted in the community spirit, volunteerism and kindness that inspired the charity from the very beginning.
Carbury Village Residents Association was named Runner-Up in Category 1, for areas with a population of between 0 and 300.
Carbury is a small rural community in North Kildare with a population of approximately 200 people. Through a strong volunteer-led work programme, Carbury Village Residents Association has delivered a range of initiatives to enhance the visual impact of the village.
Projects include landscaping features, the installation of outdoor gym equipment and a contactless water dispenser, flagpoles, a box hedge project at the main R402/R403 roundabout, the installation of a replica telephone box and a number of history boards to acknowledge the strong historical significance of the village.
The group places an emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and climate action projects, bringing the local community and their extended families and friends together to help sustain and develop Carbury.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare Cllr Tim Durkan, said: “I would like to congratulate both groups on this fantastic achievement. Their success is a wonderful recognition of the dedication, volunteerism and community spirit that make such a difference across County Kildare.
“On behalf of Kildare County Council, I thank everyone involved for their hard work and continued commitment."