National success for Ennis in Best Kept Town Competition

The results were announced by Mr. Michael Finneran, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at an awards ceremony in St. Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle. Other winners in the annual competition included Newcastle, Co Down (Best Kept Large Town); Loughhall, Co Armagh (Best Kept Village); and Glenties, Co Donegal (Best Kept Small Town).

Minister of State Tony Killeen noted that Ennis’ award success could not have been accomplished without the support of the wider community.

The Junior Agriculture Minister said: "Ireland's Best Kept Town competition provides members of the local community with the opportunity to show their pride in their respective towns and villages. It is evident from Ennis’ outstanding success in this year's competition that the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place is very much alive in the County Capital".

According to Minister Killeen: "Despite the huge volumes of people that live in and visit Ennis, it has successfully managed to retain its unqiue heritage charm and tidy appearance. This has been achieved through the combined efforts of residents and the business community, in conjunction with various regional and Government bodies, to enhance the town's appearance."

Ennis was marked against strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the NIAC initiated the Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competition in 1995 to help raise the profile of both the TidyTowns and Northern Ireland's "Best Kept" competitions, and so help to improve the standard of towns and villages across the island of Ireland.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900