ADJUDICATORS’ REPORTS
Garden is nicely maintained – we note that you have increased perennial planting here. Well done for taking your adjudicator’s recommendations on board with regard to the sowing of lower maintenance wild flowers and grasses at the graveyard.’
In the Wildlife, Habitat and Natural Amenities the judges said the committee has quietly really embraced the category. ‘You are blessed with the range of habitats that surround your village – from the woodland and native hedgerows to the Nore river. The Woodstock loop walk is a wonderful amenity that is well signposted.
‘ They also praised efforts to restore the Grove site and manage the invasive rhododendron are lauded. Your pilot wildflower area on the Thomastown Road is looking good. You have been proactive in implementing various actions recommended in the National Pollinator Plan, in order to protect our bees and other wildlife.’
In the Sustainable Waste and Resource Management category judges said the committee is implementing simple yet effective measures to reduce waste and use of resources locally.
‘Working towards a ‘Green Designation’ for the village is an interesting concept and we wish you well with it. Cois Abhann Centre already has a number of resource-saving technologies in situ.’
In the Tidiness and Litter Control category the judges said the village was litter free on the day of judging adding Inistioge presents quite a tidy appearance. In the Residential Streets and Housing Areas category the judges said the residences along the main streets and approach roads were, on the whole, well maintained.
They admired some lovely gardens with interesting planting for year round colour and interest.
‘Charming homes on the lovely Hatchery Lane were admired, particularly the green spaces in front. We observed lovely laneways of charming cottages. You show good engagement with all your residents, including estates. The Orchard and Cois Abhann were neatly presented with good landscaping.
They asked the judges to discourage residents from dumping grass cuttings in verge.
In the final category Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes the judges said the approach roads were maintained to a good standard but were not over manicured.
During the second round adjudication the judges agreed with the initial results from the first round of judging.
They said: ‘ The variety of buildings add greatly to architectural character of your beautiful village. You are certainly an historic village and you embrace this title with dignity. We particularly loved the tooled granite ashlar bridge over the wide River Nore.
‘ This bridge with its ten arches is magnificent and being able to view it from various locations is excellent. We also admired the almshouse and the old schoolhouse both of which have been converted and are now in use for different purposes. What magnificent churches you have – the RC St. Colmiclle’s church and the C of I St. Mary’s church.
‘We admired the restoration work that is being undertaken within the village and compliment the stone mason on his work. It is good to see that he is using lime mortar as cement mortar is unsuitable in such restoration projects. You have a number of other buildings which deserve to be mentioned but it would be unfair to pick out one or two – just to say that they were very well presented many having been freshly painted this year.
‘ The village square is the focal point of the village and was beautiful. It is formally landscaped which suits its location and which allows the monument and fountain to be admired. Having the River Nore flow beside the heart of the village is a wonderful bonus and you capitalise on this. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the riverside park and sat for a while listening to the river and enjoying the bird song.’ Graiguenamanagh returned to the Tidy Towns competition this year scoring 284 marks.
Graiguenamanagh received the following marks this year: Community Involvement and Planning – 44; Built Environment and Streetscape – 38; Landscaping and Open Spaces – 37; Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities – 35; Sustainable Waste and Resource Management – 15; Tidiness and Litter Control – 53; Residential Streets and Housing Areas – 27; Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes – 35.
Speaking on Community Involvement and Planning the judges said they were glad to see the town making a welcome return to the competition noting their last entry was in 2015.
‘We enjoyed immensely our visit to your picturesque town to view all the positive changes that have occurred in recent years. We were impressed by the positive approach being taken by your committee despite major challenges.
‘We are impressed with your range of sub-committees to ensure all areas of the competition get equal focus. You work closely in co-operation with your local clubs, community groups, schools and residents committees.
‘It is encouraging to read that the Business community has been so proactive in the setting up of ‘Love Graig’ as well as innovative fund raising efforts.’ They also praised the support from external bodies such as Leader and Kilkenny County Council.
Under the Built Environment and Streetscape the judges praised the recent addition of 12 stone Monk Sculptures saying they looked fantastic and unique.
‘Graiguenamanagh has a mixed bag of shopfronts in terms of presentation – you continue to work closely with the property owners to encourage individual improvements... The ‘Love Graig’ Business Group encourages and supports painting, power washing and general good maintenance. We feel that Graig is paying attention to upper storeys as well as the shop itself.
‘Some buildings that caught the eye for the right reason included M Ryan’s pub, M Doyle’s pub, CJ’s Coffee House and FJ Murray. Your ongoing efforts in relation the derelict/vacant properties are acknowledged. The development at the Quay will have a hugely positive impact on Graig and a much needed boost in terms of tourism.’
Under Landscaping and Open Spaces the judges praised the newly landscaped area outside Bank of Ireland, the entrance to Brandon Park and the area behind the fire station.
The Harristown roundabout, the polytunnel, garda station and library were also praised.
On Lower Main Street the judges said: ‘ The Duiske Inn has a pleasant outdoor seating area with plentiful floral displays. We personally felt that the volume of flowers on the ‘Graig Garden’ façade was way over the top for this streetscape. The area in front of the ‘Milking Monk’ on the Borris Road looks well.’
In the Wildlife, Habitat and Naturaltural Amenities category the judges said ‘ the fact that you have community-owned woodland is impressive. You are working hard in Silaire Wood to create native woodland here.’
They welcomed the involvement of younger people in practical initiatives such as constructing bird boxes, bug hostel and tree planting during National Tree Week. The planting of hazel trees to encourage red squirrels, the removal of Himalayan Balsam from Silaire Wood and efforts to curb the invasion of Japanese Knotweed were also praised.
In respect of Sustainable Waste and Resource Management the judges said that ‘simple but effective measures have been implemented. Many are in relation to your sustainable community garden where you grow your own plants from plugs or seed, overwintering of suitable plants, making and using your own compost, sourcing rotted horse manure for your planted areas – well done!’
They wondered if the group has taken any water conservation measures while the monthly plant and gardening equipment sale and exchange and the efforts to promote hen ownership.
In respect of Tidiness and Litter Control the judges said that: ‘Your daily litter patrols by CE workers and volunteers ensure that Graiguenamanagh is maintaining a high standard in litter control.
The town was busy but very clean on the day. It was a warm sunny day so the quay swimming areas was buzzing with young people – we expected the usual plastic bottles and cans one comes to expect but pleasantly surprised when we got there to see that the area was litter-free’
They also praised the appearance of the bottle banks but noticed a little minor littering at the steps to the playgroundplayground. The under grounding of cables in the centre of town was also commended as were local businesses for funding the power washing of shop fronts.
The murals on temporary hoardings around the town were also praised as was The Pound area.
In Residential Streets and Housing Areas the judges noticed neat and colourful homes and gardens in Fairview where the new railings, stone and planting were praised. They suggested planting along the stairway railings to enhance the appearance of the area.
They said the entrance to Duiske Crescent is ‘ beautifully maintained’ and said they were ‘particularly impressed by the private gardens viewed from the bridge at the Harristown roundabout.’
In the final category Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes the judges said: ‘We acknowledge your efforts to maintain your approach roads in a sustainable way by leaving the back sections of verges uncut to encourage wildflowers. The same approach is applied to the rear of Duiske Abbey grounds. Roundabouts are nicely landscaped, thereby giving a welcoming impression to the town ahead. Planting snowdrops and daffodils adds colour and interest to your approaches a various times of year.’
They also praised the new car park at the Dr Tierney GAA pitch saying it is ‘one of the finest GAA presentations’ they have seen and said the Well Lane has some lovely stone walls but suggested cleaning the nearby bridge.
The judges also felt the Market Square could be improved upon with the addition of newly painted railings, a reduction in car parking and increased public realm spaces.
Concluding the judges said community pride and spirit is alive and well in the town.