Mayo's Butterfly Garden honoured at community awards

THE Butterfly Garden in Swinford came away from the annual Pride of Place community awards in Armagh City with a Special Award for their work with bereaved parents.

The Butterfly Garden was one of three Mayo projects to receive nominations for the awards, with Aghamore Community Development CLG and Ballyhaunis Language Café also showcasing their projects.

On the Butterfly Garden, the judges commented: “This space is a unique garden that touchingly remembers lost babies in a way that is thoroughly uplifting and that provides inestimable comfort and reflection for bereaved families.”

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 21 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

The east Mayo groups were lauded for their work at a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting this week.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Gerry Murray described the Swinford garden as an 'innovative and emotional 'project and said people should take time to visit it.