GERMAN TOURISTS JUST LOVE WATERUNDER

IT’S so inviting even the German tourists stop off for tea!

The superb double cottages at Waterunder, close to the M1 Retail Park , are proving so popular bus tours stop off to take pictures of the charming homes.

‘We’ve had people from all over the world stopping off,’ owners Clare and Seamus Carton state.

The buses pull up and the cameras start flashing and some even pop in for tea.

The cottages were built in 1926 and last week, at the annual Beauty on the Boyne awards, they picked up a special judges award for being simply ‘stunning’.

The best front garden was won by Sean and Karen McKeown and their home in Five Oaks, described by judges as a ‘ haven of tranquility’.

Rose Kerr from The Twenties won the best vegetable patch while Kevin McAllister on West St won the best looking business premises.

The new best hospitality premises went to Clarke’s public house. The refurbishment of the premises was described as ‘stunning’ by the judges.

Organised by Louth CC, the awards were backed by Coca- Cola International Services, V&W Recycling, Rehab Glassco and the d Hotel with judges Marian Whearty and Shay Durnin.

Aisling Sheridan from Louth CC paid tribute to all the entrants and said the standard was very high again this year.

‘Drogheda is a nine times gold medal winner in the tidy towns and your efforts have made that possible’, she told the audience.

Cathaoirleach Paul Bell said it was good to see Drogheda doing so well while Mayor Oliver Tully said the competition captured the true value of people and how they transform the local area. ‘It brings a community together’, he remarked. The 1916 garden also gave a great first impression entering the town. He added his thanks to the tidy towns, the local authority workers and councillors as well as the many volunteers.

Best housing estate - 50 hpuses or less - 1.Castlewood, Dublin Road. 2. Harmony Heights, 3. Matson Lodge.

Best estate, 50-125 Houses - 1. Five Oaks and the View. 2. Boyne Hall, 3. Forest Grange.

Best estate, 125 houses and more - 1. Wheaton Hall. 2. Stameen. 3. Five Oaks.

Best front garden - 1. 14 Five Oaks. 2. 23 Georgian Close, 3. 40 Forest Grange.

Paddy Donnelly of Louth Co. Co. presents Tom Myers and Ursula Hughes of Five Oaks with second prize best large estate category.

Paddy Donnelly of Louth Co. Co. presents Catherine Fanning and Caroline Harkin from Wheaton Hall with first prize in the best large estate category.

Michael Black from Forrest Park won third prize in the best front

Vera Mooney and Eamon Clinton from Forrest Grange accept third prize in the medium sized estates category from Mayor Oliver Tully.

Alan Cooney representing Clarkes Bar accepting the award for best Hospitality Premises from John Lawrence of Louth Co. Co.

Kevin McAllister of McAllister Electrical won the Best Business Premises award.

Roz Kerr from The Twenties accepts the best vegetable patch award from David Farrelly of Rehab Glass Co.