Latest news with #SuperValuTidyTowns
RTÉ News
18-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Naas named Ireland's Best Kept Town in countrywide competition
Naas in Co Kildare has been named Ireland's Best Kept Town, in a competition that spanned the breadth of the country. The town beat out competition from Carrigaline, Co Cork, Buncrana, Co Donegal and Derry, and received their award at a ceremony in Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin. Now in its 30th year, Ireland's Best Kept Town is a countrywide competition that evaluates the cleanliness and presentation of towns, including public facilities, the outward appearance of roads and buildings and the quality of local wildlife. Each year, the winners of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Amenity Council's Best Kept competition. Naas also took home the gong in the Large Urban Centre category. The town is enjoying a good news week it seems, as it was also named the cleanest town in Ireland by the Irish Business Against Litter association, a title it has won three times since 2020. Buncrana in Co Donegal was named Ireland's Best Kept Large Town, which comes after being named Donegal's tidiest town in 2024 for the third successive year. Both Rush, Co Dublin, and Comber, Co Down were nominated in that category. Donaghmore, Co Tyrone was crowned the winner of Ireland's Best Kept Village category, beating out competition from Eyeries, Co Cork, and Riverstown, Co Sligo. Royal Hillsborough, Co Down was named the winner of Ireland's Best Kept Small Town category, coming out on top against fellow nominees Carlingford, Co Louth, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and Randalstown, Co Antrim. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, congratulated the winners of 2025 Competition, saying: "Now in its 30th year, Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland". He added: "Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. It is testament to how local volunteers take ownership of their local area and work to improve them, for now and into the future. "Being nominated for these awards is an achievement in itself. It is a recognition of the efforts made by volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland."
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Town in Donegal scoops ‘Best Kept Large Town' at national competition - ‘A proud day for Buncrana'
The seaside town on the Inishowen Peninsula was announced as the winner at an awards ceremony for Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition in Farmleigh House on Tuesday afternoon. Comber, Co Down and Rush, Co Dublin were also in the Best Kept Large Town category. Naas, County Kildare was announced as the overall winner of the competition also scooping the prize for Best Kept Large Urban Centre category. Ireland's Best Kept Town is an all-island competition in which some of the best towns in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland's Best Kept competition. Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue congratulated the town's volunteers on the impressive win. "Congratulations to Buncrana which has been named Ireland's Best Kept Large Town. 'Great credit goes to Buncrana Tidy Towns and all involved in the local community who work so hard to keep the Inishowen's biggest town looking so well at all times of the year. 'In 2024, Buncrana was crowned Donegal's tidiest town for the third successive year.' Local Councillor Joy Beard said it is a proud day for Buncrana. "Buncrana has been officially named the Best Kept Large Town in Ireland at the national awards ceremony in Dublin earlier today. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'This award recognises the incredible dedication, teamwork, and community pride that makes our town shine – from local volunteers and tidy towns groups, to council workers, schools, businesses, and every resident who helps keep Buncrana clean, green, and welcoming,' said Cllr Beard. The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, also congratulated the winners of 2025 Competition. "I want to pay tribute to all the winners today in the Ireland's Best Kept Town competition, and Naas, Co Kildare for winning the overall title along with the title of Best Kept Large Urban Centre and Buncrana, Co Donegal, the winners of the Best Kept Large Town category. 'I also want to congratulate Donaghmore, Co Tyrone the winner of Ireland's Best Kept Village category and Royal Hillsborough, Co Down the winner of Ireland's Best Kept Small Town category. 'Now in its 30th year, Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland. "Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. It is testament to how local volunteers take ownership of their local area and work to improve them, for now and into the future,' said Minister Calleary.
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Tidy Towns groups released from burden of insurance costs with new partnership
Tidy Towns groups across the country will no longer have to pay insurance under a new partnership between local authorities and Irish Public Bodies Insurance. The agreement will significantly cut the costs incurred by more than 1,000 active Tidy Towns groups and will enable them to focus their energy and resources on community activities. The initiative, which has already seen 700 groups sign up, pools the risk associated with Tidy Towns activities under a master policy undertaken by local authorities enabling the voluntary groups to focus on their core mission of improving the local amenity in their communities. Chair of IPB Insurance, John Hogan, said: 'As a mutual insurer, we believe in the strength of the collective and working together. This initiative demonstrates the benefits of collaboration to address insurance challenges that make a meaningful difference for our members and their communities. "We are delighted to partner with our local authority members to deliver a community insurance scheme that protects those who do so much for their communities on a voluntary basis.' Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has increased year on year with over 900 entries received for the competition in 2024. The competition has been running since 1958 and is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Welcoming the initiative, Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, said: 'Volunteer and local groups like Tidy Towns help keep towns clean and attractive, while offering ways for people to support their communities and address local needs. 'This partnership between Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Insurance and the 31 local authorities will mean Tidy Towns groups will have insurance cover, at no cost to them. This will enable local authority-backed Tidy Towns groups to continue their vital work bringing benefits to the community, and indeed the country, as a whole." He said the scheme also exemplifies the success of the Government's insurance reform agenda. "The implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform has yielded substantial benefits for consumers. Notably, insurance capacity is now accessible in previously challenging sectors, including hospitality, leisure activities, and community groups.' Anna Marie Delaney, Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) said the changes will add to the grant funding which local authorities had already been providing to support community groups. The cost savings associated with the scheme should assist groups by ensuring they have more resources available to support their activities. Read More Tidy Towns champion who helped his town win coveted top award named Cork Person of the Month
