Cavan and Monaghan Tidy Towns groups benefit from €48k in funding

While Ballincollig in County Cork was awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Town today, local committee’s across counties Cavan and Monaghan were also winners of various awards and large amounts of funding.

The Cavan Tidy Towns group placed first in the county, earning themselves a silver medal. Second went to Redhills while third was awarded to Killeshandra. The Endeavour Award was won by Maghera while the winners of the Local Authority Pollinator Award were Cavan Tidy Towns.

The Town Centre First Award went to Carrickmacross in Monaghan. The County First achievement went to Glaslough, second went to Carrickmacross and third in county went to Monaghan Town, each of whom also received a gold medal. The Endeavour Award was given to Killeevan and the Highly Commended Waters and Communities Award was achieved by Emyvale.

Fifteen groups across Cavan were awarded funding amounting to €19,000, where the top sum awarded went to Cavan Tidy Towns Committee who received €3000.

Neighbours Monaghan received €29, 000 across twenty one different groups in the county.

Monaghan Tidy Towns Committee and Carrickmacross Tidy Towns Committee received €3,000 respectively while other groups received sums of €2, 000 and €1, 000.

Speaking today at the announcement of the awards and funding at Croke Park, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys commended the volunteers who “have worked tirelessly” to make communities “better, more sustainable and more attractive places for locals and visitors alike.”

“You give up so much of your time and your skills for no other reason than wanting to give back to the town and village that you are proud to call home,” Minister Humphreys praised.

She highlighted those who “embark on the litter picks before dawn” an activity which takes place “while the rest of us are still in our beds.”

“Or those of you who we all see out walking the back roads in your high-vis jackets late into the evening , through rain, hail and shine.”

Minister Humphreys said all of this work is done “with a sense of pride, a sense of vision, and a sense of community.”

Speaking on the success of groups across County Cavan, Senator Joe O’Reilly praised the “wonderful work” done to keep “towns and villages shining.”

“I am delighted to see this funding in recognition of that,” Senator O’Reilly said.

“Cavan groups performed extremely well once again in this year’s competition, which was recognised at the awards ceremony in Croke Park this week,” he said.

“Tidy Towns groups not only keep Cavan shining, but also make a significant contribution to driving biodiversity initiatives, building sustainable communities, and overall aiding in achieving our climate goals."

The successful Tidy Towns groups to receive funding across the two counties were:

Arvagh (€ 1,000.00), Ballyjamesduff (€ 2,000.00), Bawnboy (€ 1,000.00), Blacklion (€ 1,000.00), Cavan (€ 3,000.00), Killeshandra (€ 1,000.00), Kilnaleck (€ 1,000.00), Lavey (€ 1,000.00)Loch Gowna (€ 1,000.00), Maghera (€1,000.00), Mountnugent (€1,000.00), Mullagh (€2,000.00), Redhills (€ 1,000.00), Shercock (€ 1,000.00) and Swanlinbar (€ 1,000.00).

Ardaghey (€ 1,000.00), Ballinode (€ 1,000.00), Ballybay (€ 2,000.00), Ballyoisin (€ 1,000.00), Carrickmacross (€ 3,000.00), Castleblayney (€ 2,000.00), Clones (€ 2,000.00), Doohamlet (€ 1,000.00), Drum (€ 1,000.00), Emyvale (€ 2,000.00), Glaslough (€ 1,000.00), Greenan's Cross (€ 1,000.00), Inniskeen (€ 1,000.00), Killeevan (€ 1,000.00), Knockatallon (€ 1,000.00), Monaghan (€ 3,000.00), Oram (€ 1,000.00), Scotshouse (€ 1,000.00), Scotstown (€ 1,000.00) and Smithborough (€ 1,000.00).