Golden Day For Clare's Tidy Town Groups

Eight communities in County Clare celebrate their achievements in the Super Value Tidy Towns competition, with Ballyvaughan, Clare Castle, Ennis, Kilrush, Newmarket and Fergus, Quinn, Shannon, and Chumgraney all receiving gold medals. Quinn stands out as the tidiest area in County Clare, marking a significant milestone for Ennis as it claims its 25th gold medal. Community leaders express pride in their accomplishments, highlighting the teamwork and dedication involved in maintaining and improving their towns.

Pat O'Brien, chairperson of Quinn Tidy Towns, notes a 15-point increase in their score, attributing this success to the hard work of both current and past committee members. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement, mentioning various volunteer groups that contribute to the upkeep of the village. Similarly, Derek Clune from Shannon Tidy Towns discusses the unique challenges faced by a larger urban community, such as managing green spaces and tackling issues like illegal dumping. Shannon has initiated projects to enhance biodiversity and reduce waste.

Victor MacSweeney from Ballyvaughan acknowledges the challenges posed by seasonal tourism but stresses the importance of maintaining the village's appearance to attract visitors. He also mentions ongoing collaborations with local authorities to improve infrastructure. The recent announcement of €1.5 million in grants for Tidy Towns groups nationwide is seen as a vital resource for supporting their efforts. Overall, the discussions reflect a strong commitment to community improvement and environmental stewardship among the Tidy Towns participants.

Eight Clare communities are celebrating success at this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns Competition, with Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle, Ennis, Kilrush, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Quin, Shannon and Tuamgraney all achieving Gold Medals.

There is particular cause for celebration in Quin, which has been named the tidiest area in County Clare, increasing its score from 396 points last year to 411 this year.

Ennis has also reached a significant milestone, claiming its 25th Gold Medal, while Ballyvaughan and Shannon are among the Clare communities recognised for their ongoing work.

Across the country, 936 towns and villages entered this year’s competition. Meanwhile, Minister Dara Calleary has announced €1.5 million in funding for almost 1,000 TidyTowns groups, with grants available for projects supporting community development, sustainability and biodiversity.

To discuss what these awards mean for Clare, the hard work behind the success and the challenges facing TidyTowns groups, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat O’Brien of Quin Tidy Towns, Derek Clune of Shannon Tidy Towns, and Victor McSweeney, owner of The Hazelwood Lodge and a committee member of Ballyvaughan Tidy Towns.

Image (c) Tidy Towns