Glaslough named Ireland's tidiest town!

Glaslough in Co Monaghan has just been named as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2019; while Cavan Town topped the list in Co Cavan in first place with 327 marks.

The SuperValu Tidy Towns competition is now entering its seventh decade and Glaslough was judged to be the best from a record number of 918 entries to the competition this year. The announcement was greeted with great celebration and excitement at today’s awards ceremony at the Helix in Dublin.  

On hand to present the prizes were Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development and Martin Kelleher, MD of SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor for the 28th year. The Helix was packed with representatives of TidyTowns groups from all over the country, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners.

Other winners included Blackrock, Co Louth, receiving the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town; Westport, Co Mayo, received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town; while Ennis, Co Clare, was declared as Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

In Cavan, Redhills and Gowna were highly commended in their respective categories with 325 and 308 points respectively; while Kilnaleck, on 282 points, also received a county endeavour award, having improved on its result from the previous year by almost 3.7%. For full results from County Cavan entrants, scroll down.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Minister Ring said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Glaslough who are very deserving winners. Glaslough, who first entered the SuperValu TidyTowns competition in 1966, have great passion and pride in their community. They have been consistently achieving high standards in the competition at local, regional and European level. Today, all that commitment and dedication has paid off with the top prize being awarded to them. This is the second time that Glaslough has been awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Town, which is a remarkable achievement and shows that the commitment and enthusiasm of the TidyTowns committees continues to remain strong."

Congratulating all of the prize winners, he said: "The work of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort results in the attractive and welcoming towns and villages we see all over the country, and from which we all benefit. It is this passion and pride that has made our towns and villages not only attractive and welcoming for visitors, but have created a ‘sense of place’ for those who live, work and raise families there. That is why this competition has continued to flourish for more than 60 years."   

Minister Ring also announced a special allocation of €1.4 million to support the work of individual TidyTowns Committees around the country to assist them in their continued efforts to enhance their towns and villages. This is the third year in a row that Minister Ring has allocated this funding to support the work of the TidyTowns Committees.

The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor.

Martin Kelleher, MD, SuperValu, also congratulations the winners.

"I would also like to congratulate the category winners who all made an outstanding effort to make their communities better places to live and work in. The immense pride in where you’re from shines through every part of what you have achieved to reach these high standards."

He said that 2019 was another landmark year for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition. "The competition tagline, ‘Caring for the Environment’, underlines our shared commitment to having a positive impact on our surroundings. This year it has inspired thousands of passionate volunteers and a record number of 918 TidyTowns committees to deliver a range of extraordinary projects across the country," said Mr Kelleher. 

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu who have supported the competition since 1992.

COUNTY CAVAN RESULTS

Category A

Redhills - Cnoc Rua 325
Loch Gowna - Loch Gamhna 308
Maghera - An Machaire 285
Kilcogy - Cill Chóige 265
Blacklion - An Blaic 256
Bawnboy - An Bábhún Buí 252
Lavey - Leamhaigh 237
Mount Nugent - Droichead Uí Dháilaigh 227
Dowra - An Damhshraith 211
Killydoon - Coill An Duin 210

Category B

Killeshandra - Cill na Sean Ratha 303
Kilnaleck - Cill na Leice 282
Arvagh - Ármhach 278
Butlersbridge - Droichead an Bhuitlearaigh 269
Ballinagh - Béal Átha na nEach 255
Swanlinbar - An Muileann Iarainn 241

Category C

Belturbet - Béal Tairbirt 290
Mullagh - An Mullach 280
Ballyconnell - Béal Átha Conaill 260

Category D

Virginia - Achadh an Lúir 290
Kingscourt - Dún na Rí 281
Bailieborough - Coill an Chollaigh 267

Category F

Cavan - An Cabhán 327