Ennis has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre in the 59h annual National Tidy Towns Competition, while Kilrush has joined the Clare County Capital in being awarded a Gold Medal in its category.
The result was announced at the 2017 National SuperValu TidyTowns Awards Ceremony at the Helix in Dublin.
Ennis was marked against strict adjudication criteria and beat off stiff competition from other large urban centres throughout the country. It’s the seventh time that Ennis has been designated Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre, having won the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2016.
Ennis was named overall winner of the ‘Gum Litter Task Force’ and ‘Can it’ awards, while the County Capital also picked up a County Award along with Kilrush and Mountshannon. Lisdoonvarna won an Endeavour Award and Bronze Medals were awarded to Quin, Ballynacally, Ballyvaughan and Tuamgraney.
The other main competition winners are Birdhill, Co. Tipperary (Tidiest Village and overall winner), Westport, Co. Mayo (Tidiest Large Town), and Clonakilty, Co. Cork (Tidiest Small Town).
Councillor Paul Murphy, Mayor of Ennis, commented, “These award successes mark the culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee to improve the appearance of the town and its environs.”
“Despite the huge volume of people that live in and visit Ennis, this large town has successfully managed to retain its unique heritage charm and tidy appearance. The adjudication panel referenced how clean Ennis was kept during this year’s Fleadh which is testament to the collaborative approach adopted by Ennis Tidy Towns, the local authority, community groups, schools, residents associations, businesses and State agencies.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Murphy paid tribute to former Tidy Towns judge, John Finn who passed away last week.
“Well known throughout Ennis where he worked as a teacher in Flannan’s College, John also was highly regarded throughout Ireland as a Tidy Towns judge. I was delighted to hear Minister Michael Ring acknowledge John’s contribution to the competition at the awards ceremony in The Helix,” he said.
Mayor of Clare Tom McNamara expressed his delighted that Clare’s “longstanding track record of success in the competition” continued this year.
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, congratulated all of Clare’s participating Tidy Towns Committees.
He siad, “This competition not only helps to make Clare a more attractive place to live in and visit, but it also acts as a springboard for the local community and business sector to promote their town as a visitor destination. It is heartening to see that the standards were extremely high again this year, which is a tribute to everyone involved.”
The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and is sponsored by SuperValu. Judging of entries takes place in June, July and August each year. A special Nationwide programme about TidyTowns 2017, featuring interviews with representatives of winning towns, will be broadcast on RTE One at 7.00pm this evening.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Gibbons of Lisdoonvarna TidyTowns Committee, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare was today highly commended as a SuperValu Community Hero at the annual SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards, which took place at the Helix, Dublin.
Kathleen, who was nominated by local retailer Jackie Fitzpatrick of SuperValu Church Street, Ennistymon, Co Clare, was recognised for her commitment to enhancing her local community.
The SuperValu Community Hero awards celebrate the efforts of 10 SuperValu Community Heroes across Ireland who act as exemplary members of their community. Each hero was acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to their local area through their involvement in their SuperValu TidyTowns committee.
Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie.