Stanley Garden seen as our TT ‘highlight’
BUT ISSUES WITH DOMINICK’S BRIDGE AND COUNCIL OFFICES ON FAIR STREET
DROGHEDA has again impressed the Supervalu Tidy Towns judges, moving up from 307 to 312 points, with the unveiling of the Joe Stanley Garden at the Buttergate seen as the ‘ highlight of the year’.
‘It is achieving two objectives – remembering 1916 and tackling anti-social behaviour. The location is appropriate – near the centre of town, on an elevated site at a key intersection. The elements came together well – the flag, 7 staked trees, Proclamation on a stone base and a very neat flower bed with 1916 in its centre.
‘Given the connection between Captain Joe Stanley and Easter Week 1916 it was appropriate to name it after him. The adjudicator noticed a plaque on 54 Cord Street commemorating members of Cumann na mBan,’ the town’s annual tidy towns report, released on Monday states.
Other areas congratulated were ‘St Augustine’s Church (1866), with a Harry Clarke window 1928, for its two magnificent 4 tiered planters cascading colour assisted by well filled containers of flowers on pillars in front of the church. Worthy of a second mention are the flower displays at Millmount Museum.’
They described a visit to The Dale as ‘ an interesting experience’ but were critical of two locations.
‘Dominick’s Bridge is rundown. The metal railings need to be painted and the remains of lamps on the parapet should be removed. They are eyesores. Graffiti needs attention. Your entry form concurs that the bridge needs tender, loving care and that you are in negotiations about this. Yes, we will ‘watch this space’ as you say in your entry form,’ the judge stated.
‘Drogheda Corporation building is in the town centre. It has 4 hanging baskets. Weed is growing out of the gutter. Three flag poles but no flags. Doors/wooden panels need to be painted/varnished. Coke can on window sill. Litter at front door, including a baby’s soother. Weeds at base of front wall and growing up beside a drainpipe. Weeds are
growing in kerb outside front door.’
Other locations praised included the ‘impressive’ St Peter’s church, the O’Raghallaigh’s and the Highlanes Gallery.
‘ The excellent work being done by the Drogheda Civic Trust at the Cord Cemetery restoration project should inspire confidence that dereliction problems can and will be tackled in the future,’ they continued.