Abbeyleix named Ireland's tidiest town for 2023

Michael Bolton

Abbeyleix in Co Laois has been named as the winners of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition for 2023.

The announcement was made at Croke Park by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.

Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers across the country attended the event, which was also streamed online.

Geashill in Co Offaly was named as Ireland’s Tidiest Village, with Abbeylix also awarded Ireland's tidiest small town.

Killarney was named as Ireland's tidiest large town, with Cork named Ireland's tidiest large urban centre.

There were 887 towns competing for the awards this year, in what was the 65th year of the event.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ms Humphreys said: "I offer my warmest congratulations to Abbeyleix and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2023.

"This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Abbeyleix and indeed the wider county of Laois.

"Having first entered the competition in 1960, Abbeyleix today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about."