Kilkenny City is Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2014. Kilkenny was recently (8th September) named best of the 849 towns and villages throughout the country that entered this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted by great celebration at the recent awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin.
On hand to present the prizes was Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Mr. Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, the competition’s main sponsor for the 23rd year. The Helix was packed with representatives of TidyTowns groups, from all over the country, eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winners.
Clonegal Co. Carlow claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Other winners included Kilrush, Co. Clare receiving the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, Westport Co. Mayo received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, while Kilkenny City was also declared as Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
Speaking after the awards ceremony Minister Kelly said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Kilkenny; a really worthy winner. It is 1985 since Kilkenny last won the overall prize but they have been consistently achieving high standards in the competition at local and regional level. So my congratulations to Kilkenny and all of the other deserving prize-winners announced today. I am very impressed by the enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort. The results of their efforts are obvious in the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country. It is clear that working together and getting things done increases peoples’ pride in where they live and helps to build vibrant communities. This is why I am delighted to see this competition continues to sustain great interest, even after 56 years.”
The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor. He said: “I would like to thank SuperValu for their continued sponsorship for the past 23 years. SuperValu has been integral to sustaining and developing the TidyTowns competition, not only through their financial sponsorship but also through the support provided to local TidyTowns groups by their network of local retailers. Through their continued sponsorship of this competition, SuperValu have proven that they really do “believe in local”.
Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu added “At SuperValu we believe in supporting local communities and nothing captures that belief more than the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition. The outstanding demonstration of community spirit shown by all volunteers is commendable. Their relentless commitment to working for the good of their local community is what makes this competition the success it is today. With 222 stores embedded in communities across Ireland, SuperValu and its retailers, through its sponsorship of TidyTowns for the past 23 years, are committed to supporting the work involved in building vibrant local communities. I am delighted to congratulate this year’s winners and to recognise the dedication of all TidyTowns committees nationwide who make a real difference at a local level.”
Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been consistently high in recent times with the number of entries exceeding 800 each year for the last four years.
The TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsored by SuperValu. The TidyTowns competition has been sponsored by SuperValu since 1992.
Source: Environ.ie – Kilkenny Is Ireland’s Tidiest Town For 2014
