Supporting people struggling with addiction keeps Manager Louise O’Mahony, Supervisor Joanne O'Dwyer and the rest of the team at The Red Door Project very busy so they don’t often get the chance to let their hair down and celebrate.

Last Saturday night was an exception though as Joanne and two of her colleagues, Orla Keegan and Maria Murtagh went to the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road in Dublin for the IPB Pride Of Place Awards at which the Red Door was presented with the runners up award in the wellness category.

The Pride of Place awards, which has been described as the ‘Oscars of the Community Sector’, celebrates the often unsung work of community groups that selflessly work to make local communities a better place to live in, work in or visit.

The Red Door Project certainly fulfils that description and the staff are justifiably proud of their achievement.

“It’s been a long process” Joanne told Drogheda Life this morning. “We were delighted to have been nominated and to present our case to the judges back in September and then finally to be invited to the awards night”.

“I see this as a fantastic recognition of the work we have done and the service we offer to many vulnerable people in the Drogheda community.

“Our work is very stressful, it’s go, go, go and can often be quite traumatic but we continue every day as best we can. It is really great to get this recognition.”

“The Red Door continues to support the most vulnerable in our society and I'm privileged to be part of such a fantastic organisation." 

Saturday’s event was the 20th anniversary of the awards formation and was hosted by RTE’s Marty Whelan.

Pride of Place is an All-Island competition whereby local authorities from across the island of Ireland nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively.

Pride of Place Chairman Tom Dowling said, "It is 20 amazing years since the very first awards ceremony and the ethos of the awards has never changed. It continues to be about acknowledging and recognising in a meaningful manner the important caring work of all our communities as they continue their daily journey of making the path of life easier for all.

“This fabulous journey could not have happened without the far-sighted vision of Co-operation Ireland, the local authorities, and IPB, who all recognised the importance of communities participating in such a prestigious competition embracing and demonstrating their pride in their place.”