County Council Praises Limerick’s TidyTowns Participants

Adare again picked up a Silver Medal in category C of the annual competition. The village also won the Limerick County Award this year while Galbally (Highly Commended) and Ardpatrick (Commended) came second and third place respectively for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, Kilbehenny received the County Endeavour Award after receiving 222 points from the TidyTowns judges, representing an 18 pc improvement on the village’s 2008 result. Elsewhere, Montpelier Community Centre was awarded The ‘Best Bring Bank Award’ for the Mid West Region.

Cllr. David Naughton, the Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, congratulated the County’s 41 participants whom he said had done their county proud in this year’s competition.

The Cathaoirleach continued: "Over the past number of years there has been a marked increase in the number of towns and villages in County Limerick participating in the National TidyTowns competition. It is especially pleasing to note that most participants have recorded a year on year increase in their points. I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by new entrants in the competition and urge each new committee to retain the motivation to keep going and recruit more volunteers. I also wish to commend the staff of Limerick County Council, along with my fellow elected representatives for the invaluable support they have provided TidyTowns committees throughout the year".

Complimenting the efforts of Tidy Towns volunteers across County Limerick, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Chair of the Social, Cultural and Community Development Strategic Policy Committee, stated: "As an elected representative and someone who has personally worked for many years with voluntary organisations, I recognise the huge effort required by community groups to participate in and achieve success in such competitions. The TidyTowns Competition is truly a celebration of community spirit, teamwork and an awareness of the natural environment."

County Limerick TidyTowns Results 2008/2009 Points (Maximum Marks 400):
Adare 291/294, Ardpatrick 278/283, Askeaton 249/266, Athlacca 207, Ballyneety 212/227, Ballyorgan 227, Broadford 255/260, Bruff 240/251, Bruree 249/250, Carrigkerry 198, Castleconnell 201/222, Clarina 201, Colmanswell 224/233, Croagh 239/250, Croom 256, Doon 221/235, Feenagh 239, Garryspillane 231, Foynes 246/261, Galbally 282/286, Glenbrohane 251/253, Glin 256/259, Hospital 214/222, Kilbehenny 188/222, Kilfinane 223/232, Kilfinny 190, Kilmallock 264/271, Kilmeedy 217/230, Kilteely 210, Knockainey 240, Knocklong 245/248, Loughhill 238/244, Mountcollins 234/248, Murroe 243/250, Newcastle West 265/273, Old Pallas 220, Rathkeale 226/225, Templeglantine 260/268 and Tournafulla 235/249.

According to Josephine Cotter-Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise: "The concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened over the years by Limerick County Council. This has further been enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in initiatives such as the Limerick in Bloom Competition".

Limerick County Council has announced that the second annual ‘Limerick In Bloom’ competition winners will be named at a ceremony in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 20th of October. The Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, developed the initiative in 2008 as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

Further information on ‘Limerick In Bloom’ or the National TidyTowns Competition is available from the Community and Enterprise section of Limerick County Council on 061-496454.

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. SuperValu, and its 180 plus storeowners around the country, have sponsored the competition since 1992. The Tourism Division of Shannon Development administers and promotes the competition in the Shannon Region. Judging of entries takes place in June, July and August each year.