Letterkenny is this years top tidy town

Letterkenny in Co Donegal is Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2015. Letterkenny was today named best of the 862 towns and villages throughout the country that entered this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted by great celebration at today’s awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin.

On hand to present the prizes was Alan Kelly, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu, the competition’s main sponsor for the 24th 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 Listowel, Co Kerry, receiving the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, Westport, Co Mayo, received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, while Letterkenny was also declared as Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Minister Kelly said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Letterkenny; a really worthy winner. This is the eighth time a town in Donegal has won the overall prize, but the first time for Letterkenny. Letterkenny have entered the competition every year since 1959 and their win today is testament to them consistently achieving high standards in the competition at local and regional level. It is recognition of a town that embraces all aspects of the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition, builds strong community links and has grown each year in the competition. So my congratulations to Letterkenny and all of the other deserving prize-winners announced today. The enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort results in the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country. How a community lives together, strives to involve all of its members and makes the most of their abilities and interests is integral to the ethos of TidyTowns. In 2015 this spirit was recognised by the introduction of two new Special Awards sponsored by SuperValu, the Youth Award and the Diversity Award. 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 57 years.”

 

Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie and at www.supervalu.ie