Tidy Towns results 2023 today, competition:With two gold medals, three silver medals, and a special recognition award, Waterford took home the most prizes at this year’s Tidy Towns Awards.
Gold was awarded to Stradbally and Lismore during the Croke Park event, while silver went to Dungarvan, Ardmore, and Ballymacarbry. Cappoquin also received a special appreciation medal.
Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2023, according to a statement made today (6 October) by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.
At the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony in Dublin’s Croke Park, over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were in attendance, and many more watched the event online through live streaming.
The fact that 887 communities competed for the top honors this year shows how popular the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been since it began in 1958.
Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town are both Abbeyleix, Co. Laois.
In accordance with the government’s Town Center First strategy, Minister Humphreys also handed a new award today to the Cappoquin, Boyle, and Ballyshannon TidyTowns organizations in recognition of their outstanding efforts to combat vacancy and blight.
Tidy Towns results 2023 today
Minister Humphreys declared Abbeyleix the ultimate victor and said:
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Abbeyleix and all of its TidyTowns volunteers on winning the title of Ireland’s cleanest town for 2023.
“This is a genuinely outstanding accomplishment and a unique time of tremendous pride for Abbeyleix and the larger county of Laois.
Abbeyleix, which joined the competition for the first time in 1960, is still a shining example of creativity, sustainability, community spirit, and volunteering. This is what the competition is really all about.
The Minister continued:
“As usual, there was fierce competition this year across all categories, with 887 submissions total.
“I want to honor all of today’s winners in each of the numerous categories.
“I want to recognize in particular the crucial contribution played by TidyTowns volunteers around the nation who work tirelessly all year to make sure that our towns are lively, sustainable places to live, work, and visit. You are the epitome of all that is admirable in our communities and a true inspiration.
For more than 30 years, SuperValu has served as the competition’s primary sponsor. Minister Humphreys and Ian Allen, Managing Director of SuperValu, jointly presented the winners.
Other significant winners on the day included:
- Offaly County’s Geashill was named Ireland’s Tidiest Village.
- Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town title was given to Abbeyleix, Co. Laois.
- Ireland’s Cleanest Large Town accolade went to Killarney, Co. Kerry.
- The prize for Ireland’s Cleanest Large Urban Center went to Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
TidyTowns competitions
The minister acknowledged the crucial contribution made by TidyTowns volunteers around the nation who work tirelessly all year to make sure that neighborhoods are thriving, sustainable places to live, work, and visit.
For more than 30 years, SuperValue has served as the competition’s primary sponsor. Minister Humphreys and Ian Allen, managing director of SuperValu, revealed the results.
According to Allen, there are currently over 1,000 active TidyTowns committees supported by up to 30,000 volunteers who are passionate about beautifying local towns and villages across the nation.
The minister has announced funding of €1.5 million to assist over 900 TidyTowns organisations in their efforts to improve the quality of life in local towns and villages.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has contributed €9.5 million to these organizations’ vital sustainability efforts as well as other endeavors since 2017.
All teams who participated in the tournament in 2022 or 2023 will be qualified to submit an application for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000. The department website has a list of all qualifying organizations.