HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR NORTH WEXFORD’S TIDY TOWNS GROUPS
IN the year that a record number of 918 communities entered competition, it was Gorey, Killanerin and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns groups who came out on top in North Wexford all receiving over 300 marks in their given categories based on population.
The tidest county Wexford town this year was Blackwater, while previous county-topper Ballycanew Tidy Towns group, which received one of the highest marks in the region last year on 320 points, this year did not enter for an award.
While Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns were one of many North Wexford towns and villages to make good progress, bringing its marks up six points on last year and breaking the 300 mark, it was the Riverchapel group that scored the lowest in North Wexford receiving 200 points.
Courtown Harbour received 254, Askamore 297, Coolgreany 286 and Camolin 278, all in category B.
Special recognition was given to Gorey Tidy Towns (316 points) when it won a Bronze medal and €400 spending money, while Killanerin Tidy Towns (309 points) won a runner-up prize in the Climate Action and Air Quality award, sponsored by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
Both groups were delighted to receive recognition for their hard work.
‘We are extactic, getting a bronze award was absolutely fantastic. We are out six days a week and being out in the town with a presence has seen us spreading our wings and building up to get more done,’ said Chairperson of Gorey Tidy Towns, Billy Halford.
‘We got involved with three of four significant projects this year with Gorey 400 focusing on biodiversity, the graveyard as well as the wildflower garden. We want to say a big thank you to the people of Gorey, our own committee, the tus and CE workers, Amanda Byrne for all her help and to Michael Drea who will no doubt continue that.
‘We are planning already for next year and we will have some very exciting stuff coming on stream,’ he said.
Peter O’Connor of Kilanerin Tidy Towns spoke about the hard work put in by all in his area.
‘We are delighted to win and this was the first award we have ever won in the Tidy Towns competition, it’s another step along in the right direction. We managed a nine point increase over last year’s score and I want to thank all of the people who put in the work throughout the year and supported our efforts. I look forward to continuing on into the future.
‘I want to give my sincere thanks to Karen Finigan who was in charge of the climate award,’ he said.
Glaslough in Monaghan was named as both Ireland’s Tidiest Town and village during the awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin yesterday (Monday).