Ballinahown and Castlecoote win county tidy towns awards
Ballinahown was once again the county winner in the annual Tidy Towns competition.
The picturesque village also took a bronze medal nationally in its population category, as did Athlone.
Tyrrellspass took second place in Westmeath and was highly commended by judges while Glasson received a commendation for its third place.
In nearby Roscommon, Castlecoote won the overall Roscommon competition, as well as a national gold medal – and was just two points behind the overall winner Listowel.
Second placed Keadue also took home a gold medal and was highly commended and Ballintubber received a bronze medal and a commendation for taking the third highest mark in Roscommon. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to entrants with scores that fall within a set range from that year’s winning score in each population category.
Streamstown and Portrunny won the endeavour awards in Westmeath and Roscommon respectively, for the areas with the largest percentage increase in marks year on year.
Nationally, The Kerry town of Listowel was named as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2018 in what was the 60th Anniversary year of the competition. Listowel was best of a record number of 883 entries from towns and villages throughout the country in the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted with great jubilation at today’s awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin.
Listowel also claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town. Other winners included Glaslough, Co. Monaghanreceiving the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Westport, Co. Mayo, received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, while Ballincollig, Co. Cork was declared asIreland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Minister Ring also announced a special allocation of €1.4 million to support the work of individual Tidy Towns Committees around the country in order to mark the 60th anniversary of the event.
The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor. He said: “I want to pay tribute to SuperValu, who are now in their 27thyear as sponsor and have worked with us to grow the competition. It is getting stronger every year with increased participation, an increased number of awards and a notable increase in the efforts of the communities involved.
Supervalu have shown fantastic support for the competition, not only through their financial sponsorship but also through the support provided to local TidyTowns groups by their network of local retailers.”
The Westmeath marks were as follows:
CATEGORY A
Ballinahown 327
Raharney 297
Rosemount 295
Ballinagore 291
Tubberclair 289
Milltownpass 283
Moyvore 283
Drumcree 274
Crookedwood 273
Finea 266
Loughnavalley 259
Ballinalack 254
CATEGORY B
Tyrrellspass 318
Glasson 307
Streamstown 302
Multyfarnham 297
Ballynacargy 296
Collinstown 295
Tang 285
Rathowen 283
Coole 276
Ballymore 274
Castledaly 273
Ballykeeran 268
Mount Temple 256
Clonmellon 227
CATEGORY C
Castlepollard 302
Rochfortbridge 284
Kilbeggan 280
Killucan Rathwire 216
CATEGORY D
Moate 286
Kinnegad 276
CATEGORY G
Athlone 305
Mullingar 290
Roscommon marks:
CATEGORY A
Castlecoote 337
Keadue 336
Ballintubber 327
Cloontuskert 325
Croghan 311
Lisacul 305
Lecarrow 297
Curraghboy 292
Kilteevan 283
Dysart 280
Ballyforan 274
Tulsk 259
Portrunny 249
Brideswell 248
CATEGORY B
Ballyfarnon 309
Ballyleague 307
Roosky 299
Knockcroghery 285
Athleague 283
Loughglynn 279
Gorthaganny 273
Strokestown 267
Cootehall 265
Cloonfad 249
CATEGORY C MARK
Tarmonbarry 320
Ballaghaderreen 244
Moore 202
CATEGORY D MARK
Boyle 289
CATEGORY E MARK
Roscommon 326