Funding on way to help Aughrim regain Tidy Towns gold

Arklow councillors have agreed to help fund seating and replacement bins in Aughrim to aid the village’s Tidy Towns group as they endeavour to regain their gold medal status.

Councillors Pat Fitzgerald and Pat Kennedy put forth a motion at February’s Arklow Municipal District meeting, asking councillors to back Aughrim Tidy Towns – the last overall winner of the Tidy Towns Competition from the Garden County (2007) – and help the village “get back on top”.

Aughrim Tidy Towns performed exceptionally well in last year’s competition, achieving the fifth-highest score (350) in Wicklow, only ranking behind Arklow (371), Wicklow town (365), Greystones (363) and Grangecon (358) in the west.

Broaching the possibility of funding the new seating and replacement bins in Aughrim, Cllr Kennedy said: “I just feel that there is no greater way to promote our district and our county than through our Tidy Towns,

“When we look at what is happening between Wicklow town and Arklow at the moment, it is projecting Wicklow onto the national stage.

“Aughrim won a gold medal two years ago, and they’re not that far behind.

“It would be great if we could support our villages and get Aughrim back on top.”

Pointing to the district chamber walls, Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tommy Annesley offered his support for the motion and concluded the discussion, saying: “The evidence is behind us here.

“We have a few awards from Aughrim and Arklow up on the walls, so definitely – 100 per cent.”

Reacting to the councillors’ commitment, Abigail Brennan from Aughrim Tidy Towns said: “We are delighted to hear the news of the proposed new bins and seats for the town.

“It will be a huge help to our efforts in keeping Aughrim tidy and we look forward to working with the district administrator and the district engineer on this project”