Ballincollig has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre for 2024.
This year, 904 towns were competing for the prestigious awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958.
Minister Heather Humphreys also presented the Young Person in TidyTowns award to Ballyphehane TidyTowns, Co. Cork as well as the ‘Town Centre First National Award’ today to Carrickmacross TidyTowns, Co Monaghan recognising their tremendous efforts to address vacancy and dereliction in line with the Government’s ‘Town Centre First‘ policy.
Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner, Minister Humphreys said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024.
“This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork.
“Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about.”
Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today.
The impact of Supervalu TidyTowns can be seen, particularly in fostering inclusion, sustainability and community engagement.”
Some of the other big winners on the day included:
Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu commented after the awards: “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ballincollig on being crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2024 – an outstanding achievement that reflects the tireless dedication and hard work of the committee and volunteers. This award is a true testament to what can happen when individuals within a community come together with passion and commitment to make their towns and villages better places to live, work, and play. At SuperValu, we take immense pride in the communities we serve, and it’s fantastic to see that same pride shining through the efforts of TidyTowns committees across the country.''
Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of TidyTowns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit.
Since 2017, the Department has provided almost €11 million in funding to support the activities of these groups.
The Minister concluded: “The focus on sustainability and biodiversity are particularly impressive and important for all of us. The funding from my Department will help Groups continue with their inspirational efforts to transform their communities and the local environment.”
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu who have sponsored the competition since 1991. Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie and at www.supervalu.ie
