Ballinahown wins gold at Entente Florale Europe awards in Hungary

Ballinahown's community spirit and beautification efforts earned international acclaim this weekend, when the village won a gold medal award in the Entente Florale Europe competition.

Judges in the competition visited Ballinahown in July, and its recognition as a winner of the prestigious gold medal award was announced during a ceremony held in the Hungarian city of Székesfehérvár on Saturday.

Entente Florale is a Europe-wide competition which rewards efforts made to enhance the quality of life of citizens living in cities, towns and villages across the continent.

Among those in attendance at the ceremony on Saturday were a number of local residents who are involved in Ballinahown Community Development, as well as a Westmeath County Council delegation that included Cllr John Dolan, Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena, Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam McDaniel, and local authority officials Willie Ryan and Ambrose Clarke.

Attendees at the ceremony were told of how Ballinahown was "surrounded by beautiful bogland, river, and verdant landscapes," and that the village "presents an idyllic environment which is enriched by its traditional Irish architecture."

In addition to its gold medal win, Ballinahown received a certificate in recognition of what judges felt was the area's special characteristic, namely "the energy, enthusiasm and involvement of the local community".

* For more on Ballinahown's success, see this week's editions of the Westmeath Independent and Offaly Independent.