Call for civic honour for Ballinahown
A motion which called on Westmeath County Council to award Ballinahown a civic reception in recognition of winning a gold medal at the European-wide Entente Florale competition had to be amended at the November meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District to take into account its magnificent achievement of also winning the accolade of ‘Ireland's Tidiest Village’.
“When I put this motion down first I was always hoping I'd have to amend it,” joked a delighted Cllr John Dolan, who is vice-chair of Ballinahown Community Development.
Cllr Dolan arrived at the Municipal District meeting fresh from a weekend of unbridled celebrations in Ballinahown, when the picturesque village was named as Ireland's Tidiest Village at the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns awards.
“Ballinahown has had a tremendous 2024,” said a beaming Cllr Dolan. “It is a very special place. Our ambition now is to go on and win the overall (Tidy Towns) title, and if anyone deserves a civic reception it is Ballinahown and all the people who have worked tirelessly over many years to make the village what it is today. We couldn't have achieved all we have if it wasn't for those people.”
Cllr Frankie Keena seconded the call for a civic reception and commended Cllr Dolan and the other members of the Ballinahown Community Development group, along with the entire community, for their “dedication and commitment” to their village.
“All of the other towns and villages in Westmeath, and across the country, could learn lessons from Ballinahown,” remarked Cllr Tom Farrell, who also commended the local community on its hard work over the years.
Director of Services, Ambrose Clarke, said the “key point” to note in relation to the successes achieved by Ballinahown lay in the “sterling efforts of the local community,” and he pointed out that the local authority cannot “do everything on its own” and must have buy in from each local area. “It is a joint effort,” he added.
There was unanimous support for Cllr Dolan's motion seeking a civic reception, with the meeting agreeing to refer the issue to the Corporate Policy Group of the council for consideration.