Louth proud at TT results
FOUR GOLD MEDALS FOR LOUTH AT TIDY TOWNS EVENT
LOUTH did itself proud at Monday’s national Tidy Towns awards, with the county’s top eight centres scoring in the top 18% of all the 859 towns and villages that took part in the competition which was won this year by Skerries.
Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach sent his congratulations to Louth’s Tidy Towns groups and volunteers as it was revealed that gold medals were achieved by Dundalk, Tallanstown, Blackrock and Drogheda, while Ardee and Knockbridge picked up bronze medals for all the hard work exercised by Tidy Towns groups.
Mr Breathnach said that no other county could boast such a performance at the competition and said he was ‘ very proud of all 24 Louth centres who have a pride of place on behalf of their communities’.
All four of Louth’s gold medal centres increased their marks from 2015, with Dundalk up three points to 309, Blackrock gaining five marks to reach 317, Tallanstown getting six more to go to 323 and Drogheda adding five more to reach 312.
Louth County Council Cathaoirleach Paul Bell was joined by the Municipal and Borough District chair and mayor Cllr. Oliver Tully, Cllr. Mark Deery, and Cllr. Dolores Minogue in congratulating all involved in securing six medals for Louth Communities when the results of this year’s Super Value Tidy Towns competition were announced on Monday.
A spokesperson for Louth County Council said: A total of 24 town and villages were adjudicated on for this year’s competition and the ever increasing standard of the competition is evident when you visit any of the participating communities.
‘All 24 entries saw an increase in the scores demonstrating that communities are continuing to find ways to improve the places they live’.
And while the achievements are something to savour, adjudicators in Dundalk gave the council plenty to think about in their remarks about certain aspects of the town, including the lack of proper sign posts to housing estates and roads and litter. The adjudicator said: ‘For example, litter is still a problem in some areas and the impact made by new contractors is visible in the centre of the town.
‘ There are high profile signs – yield right of way, direction arrow. Finger signs on a black pole – town hall, visitor information, court house, railway station, etc. Need to be cleaned and painted. The landscape category tells us that a major upgrade is scheduled. Not a moment too soon’.
But there was praise for the Market Square, described as the town’s ‘attractive piece of civic property’. ‘It was a design that pushed boundaries. It has been enhanced until it is now a mature piece of civic pride. It is a superb focal point’.
“The Square is the most attractive piece of civil property, it is enhanced and is a mature piece of civic pride”.