Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath has been announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Village for 2024.
Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin with the event live-streamed to many more online.
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.
Ballinahown Co. Westmeath was named as Ireland’s Tidiest Village, with Ballincollig in Cork taking the overall award. The Midlands has a very strong track record in the Awards, and Balliahown’s win in 2024 comes from a very successful 2023 where Abbeyleix in Co. Laois won the overall Ireland’s Tidiest Town Award and the Tidiest Small Town Award, while Geashill in Co. Offaly took home the Tidiest Village title.
Ensuring our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit
Announcing the winners, Minister Heather Humphreys said:
“As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide.
“I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories.
“In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit.
“You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities.
“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.”
SuperValu has been the competition’s main sponsor since 1991, and today Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu, announced the results with Minister Humphreys.
Midlands Tidy Towns Winners
Overall Midlands winners on the day included:
- Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Village.
- Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath awarded Tidiest in Midlands and East Region
- Portlaoise, Co. Laois awarded the Tree Project Award
- Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath highly commended in the Water and Communities Award
Laois Awards
- Abbeyleix, Co. Laois awarded First in County and Gold Medal
- Durrow, Co. Laois awarded Second in County and Silver Medal
- Portlaoise, Co. Laois awarded Third in County and Gold Medal
- Killeshin, Co. Laois awarded the County Endeavour Award
Longford Awards
- Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford awarded First in County and Gold Medal
- Longford, Co. Longford awarded Second in County and Gold Medal
- Newtown Cashel, Co. Longford awarded Third in County and Bronze Medal
- Drumlish, Co. Longford awarded Bronze Medal
- Stonepark, Co. Longford awarded the County Endeavour Award
Offaly Awards
- Geashill, Co. Offaly awarded First in County and Gold Medal
- Birr, Co. Offaly awarded Second in County and Gold Medal
- Tullamore, Co. Offaly awarded Third in County and Gold Medal
- Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly awarded Bronze Medal
- Kilcormac, Co. Offaly awarded the County Endeavour Award
Westmeath Awards
- Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath awarded First in County and Gold Medal
- Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath awarded Second in County and Silver Medal
- Athlone, Co. Westmeath awarded Third in County and Gold Medal
- Mullingar, Co. Westmeath awarded Bronze Medal
- Finea, Co. Westmeath awarded the County Endeavour Award
Tidy Towns Groups to share €1.5 million in funding
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.
