Blooming Inistioge in spotlight

INISTIOGE has been getting a lot of positive attention lately, not only from the hard working locals who have the village looking its best for the Entente Florale competition, but also from RTE, with a Nationwide programme highlighting its beauty for around ten minutes.

Entente Florale adjudicators visited Inistioge in late July and were hugely complimentary about the work carried out in the village, which has become a Mecca for flower lovers.

The 2018 Entente Florale Awards ceremony will be held in Tullamore on September 22. The awards, based on overall marks achieved, range from bronze, silver, to gold plaques.

The village was nominated by the Department of Rural and Community Development to participate in the international competition this year. Residents of all ages rolled up their sleeves, undertaking flower growing projects around the village all spring and into the summer, managing some wonderful displays in spite of the unfavourable growing weather.

Volunteers, council staff and the wider community have worked relentlessly over recent months to prepare - weeding, litter picking and painting, as well as completing larger projects.

Inistioge goes up against Dungarvan in Waterford, Ireland’s other Entente Florale entrant, for the prize.