Trim named as Ireland's Best Kept Large Town at Belfast ceremony
Trim was named as Ireland's Best Kept Large Town at the 2026 Ireland's Best Kept Town Awards which took place in Riddel Hall, Belfast, on Wednesday, 24th June.
Ireland’s Best Kept Town is an all-island competition in which some of the best villages and towns participating in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition.
Antrim was named overall winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town in 2026 as well winning Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, announced the results and congratulated the winners.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, he said: “I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners and nominees in the all-island Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition. Well done to Carraig Airt , the winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Village, and Trim for winning the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Town.
“I would also like to congratulate Antrim, Irelands Best Kept Town for 2026 as well as being named Irelands Best Kept Large Urban Centre. Groomsport also deserves a special mention as the 2026 winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Small Town.”
Minister Calleary continued: “The all-island Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition recognises the immense community spirit and pride people have in their own communities right across this island.
“All the groups nominated for these awards should be enormously proud of their achievements to date. Now in its 31st year, it is a fine example of a positive cross-border initiative that brings great benefits to so many of our communities.
“I applaud the efforts made by all of the volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland and wish all our community groups the very best in future competitions.”
Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the organising body of Northern Ireland’s Best Kept Awards, noted that: “The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities and those who work tirelessly to make their surroundings a nice place to work, live and play in.
“My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients. The panel of esteemed judges from all over Ireland had a very difficult task in comparing and selecting the eventual winners, which is a testament to the stunning towns and villages that we are lucky enough to have here on the island of Ireland.”
Among the Meath contingent to attend the ceremony were Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe, Trim MD engineer Donna Pringle, recently elected Trim Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Noel French and representatives of Trim Tidy Towns.
Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said it was a "tremendous achievement for Trim and a proud moment for the entire county".
"This award reflects the dedication, pride and community spirit of the people of Trim, whose commitment to enhancing their town continues to set a national benchmark. Meath County Council is delighted to support and celebrate this success.”
The award builds on the town's other accolades including a National Tidy Towns Title in 2022, and gold medals in the international 'Communities in Bloom' competition in 2024 and European Competiton 'Entente Florale' in 2015.
Recently elected Trim MD Cathaoirleach Noel French who attended the awards ceremony said it was a fantastic result and paid tribute to Trim Tidy Towns, Meath County Council and the local community. He added that he had been cathaoirleach for Entente Florale, Communities in Bloom amd Best Kept Town and was "really honoured to represent this beautiful town".