Cavan Town comes out tops in Tidy Towns

Cavan Town has once again topped the poll in the National Tidy Towns competition in the county; while Listowel in Co Kerry has been named Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2018. With 322 marks, Cavan Town achieved the highest marks of any town in the county, coming first overall and first in Category F in terms of population. Its success also earned the local committee a Silver Medal Award and €700.
Dowra, meanwhile, on 206 got an Endeavour Award, and €500 for the improvements made since 2017.
Redhills, meanwhile, was first in Category A with 320 points; Arvagh topped Category B with 274 points; Killeshandra was first in Category C on 295 points and Virginia was first in Category D with 286 marks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this, the 60th anniversary of the competition, Listowel was best of a record number of 883 entries from towns and villages throughout the country in the SuperValu National Tidy Towns competition.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring and Martin Kelleher, MD, SuperValu, presented the prizes in the Helix.
Listowel also received the title of Ireland's Tidiest Small Town; Glaslough in County Monaghan was named Ireland's Tidiest Village. Westport in Co Mayo was awarded Ireland's Tidiest Large Town; while Ballincollig in Co Cork took the title for Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Minister Ring congratulated all the prize winners. “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. The voluntary work that people put in to their communities brings great pride, a great sense of achievement and great camaraderie to those communities. That is why this competition has flourished for 60 years,” he said.
Minister Ring also used the occasion to announce a special allocation of €1.4M to support the work of individual Tidy Towns Committees around the country in order to mark the 60th anniversary of the event. 
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu who have sponsored the competition since 1992. 
Meanwhile, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, has congratulated Glaslough on winning the award for ‘Ireland’s Tidiest Village’ at the competition.

Of the new funding stream announced, Minister Humphreys is urging local committees to apply.
“Over 900 committees are eligible and I would strongly encourage the many wonderful groups in Monaghan and Cavan to ensure they secure their fair share of the funding.
“The funding will be administered through Minister Michael Ring’s Department and local committees can visit www.drcd.gov.ie to find out more.”