RTÉ One’s hugely popular afternoon show, Today, hosted by Maura Derrane and Dáithí Ó Sé, is partnering up with Calor Gas and the Irish Farmers Journal to find the most inspiring rural village in Ireland. They will shine a light on communities that have fought back despite continued urbanisation and budget cuts.

On Tuesday’s show, Maura and Dáithí launched the new Village with Vision campaign and are asking viewers to nominate the village or town they think is worthy of the prize. The prize consists of Today with Maura and Dáithí being broadcast live from the winning town, as well as €10,000 for the community, kindly donated by Calor Gas.

Presenter Maura Derrane said: “I grew up on the Aran Islands, on Inis Mór – you couldn’t get more rural than that. I know the importance of a small community coming together. Unfortunately, in rural Ireland, a lot of people are leaving and the reality is, if people don’t pull together, we will lose that sense of family, that sense of vision, that sense of achievement within rural communities. We want to put the spotlight on the people who are sometimes forgotten and reward those who have gone above and beyond within their community – making them a better place to live.”

Dáithí Ó Sé said: “I live in rural Ireland. I see the importance of rural Ireland. I see the importance of a community in rural Ireland. If you take the community out of rural Ireland, you have fields. Rural Ireland has had it tough of late. We want to recognise those people who have gone above and beyond for their community, because it’s those people, those small communities, who make up the backbone of Ireland.”

Judging by Mairead Lavery

Mairead Lavery, editor of Irish Country Living and campaign judge, said: “The Irish Farmers Journal believes in rural Ireland and the vital role it plays in the economic and social wellbeing of the country. We are keen to support any initiative that promotes a positive image of rural Ireland. This especially applies to villages that show resilience and are fighting back. The benefit of giving these villages national recognition for all that they are doing cannot be underestimated. The best way to get this message across is to show and tell, and what better vehicle to do it with than with the national broadcaster and Today with Maura and Dáithí. Every week in the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living, we promote what’s best about rural Ireland and we look forward to doing the same with Maura and Dáithí.”

Here are some examples of the things Mairead will be looking for from the winning village:

  • A community which came together to tackle one single issue and has responded to a multitude of other issues.
  • A community that understands and can get its hands on the supports that are there to help.
  • A community with a vision for their place. A vision that goes beyond Tidy Towns or a community shop.
  • It’s no longer good enough for a community to just provide jobs. The place has to be a good place in which to live.
  • A good place for mums and babies, for the old, the retired, for teenagers, for migrants or for others new to the village.
  • A village that’s open and welcoming to everyone and where together they make the community a better place.

    • Commenting on the partnership, Niamh Haughey, digital and communications manager, Calor, said: “Through the entries, we hope to identify the many great things that take place in every Irish community, and to ensure that they get the credit they deserve. At Calor, we wanted a unique way of demonstrating just how much we care about the communities in which we operate and the locals we serve. We are delighted to be part of this competition and we cannot wait to hear about how communities nationwide are working together to make the most of the environment in which they live.”

    How to enter

    To enter, you need to be a fully formed community group. Please tell us in 1,000 words or less why you believe your community has the best “fight back” community spirit in Ireland, by giving us examples of the things you have done in your village to make life better for your community. Alternatively, make a short video showing us around your village, highlighting the community projects you’re most proud of – maximum length three minutes – and send the YouTube link to the Today team.

    A Today reporter will visit all the shortlisted villages. Then, Today with Maura and Dáithí will broadcast live from the winning village on 9 March, where the community will be awarded with their cheque live on television.

    Send your competition entry and contact details to today@rte.ie and mark the subject line #villagewithvision. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 23 February. Make sure to tell the Today team what you would do with the €10,000 should your group win this huge prize.