merrion street

This year’s SuperValu TidyTowns awards for the Midlands & East region were presented today, Tuesday, 12th November, at a prize-giving ceremony in the Blackrock Haggardstown Community Centre in Blackrock, Co. Louth.  SuperValu TidyTowns winners were presented with their awards by Mr. Michael Ring T.D.  Minister for Rural & Community Development and Maighréad Cremin, Community Manager with SuperValu who are longtime sponsors of the competition. Also joining the Minister on stage was Mark Mohan, Manager Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland

At the ceremony, Minister Ring spoke of the grant scheme which he announced recently which will enable TidyTowns committees to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000:

I am delighted to be in a position to present the awards today and I also encourage committees to avail of the €1.4 Million in grant funding to assist them in preparing for the 2020 competition. All eligible committees will have recently received an application form for the grant and it should be returned as soon as possible to take full advantage of the funding.

For many years, communities have volunteered with TidyTowns to make our country a place that we can all be proud of. I have nothing but admiration for the volunteers here tonight and across the country, and this grant scheme is recognition from the Government for the huge contribution made by committees every year.

Minister Ring added:  

It is fantastic to have the opportunity, this evening, to meet TidyTowns groups from across the Midlands & East region.  These awards are just a small token for the efforts of so many volunteers who take pride in their home town and work tirelessly to make their community a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place now and for future generations.  We also recognise all the other TidyTowns groups not here today who are equally committed to improving their community year on year but have not achieved formal recognition in the competition this year, - well done to you all on the work you do and we hope to see you here with us next year.

The Minister also thanked TidyTowns’ main sponsor SuperValu:

For 28 years, SuperValu, as the main sponsor, have been involved in this competition at local and national level. SuperValu has helped the competition to flourish and grow and continues to demonstrate a real commitment to supporting local communities and has worked closely with Department officials to help make it the success it is today.

Maighréad Cremin, SuperValu Community Manager said:

2019 was another landmark year for SuperValu TidyTowns, with a record number of committees and groups taking part in the competition. The TidyTowns programme continues to be the greatest sustainability and community initiative in Ireland and it really positively impacts on our towns and villages across our country.

SuperValu are proud sponsors of the TidyTowns competition for almost 30 years now. Over this time we have seen first-hand the competition grow and evolve to a level that no one could have foreseen. In recent years, the SuperValu TidyTowns competition is increasingly focused on sustainability, biodiversity and conservation. Working together, we are making important steps in protecting our natural environment now and into the future. This is all made possible by the remarkable dedication and commitment shown by TidyTowns groups and SuperValu retailers around the country. This tireless work has a hugely positive impact on our communities.

Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been stronger than ever in recent years with a record number of communities entering the competition in 2019. The competition has been running since 1958 and is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development.  The competition has been sponsored by SuperValu since 1992.

Blackrock in Co. Louth won the regional title and a full list of all of today’s prize winners can be found below.

Notes for editors: 

Midlands & East Regional Awards 2019

Irelands Tidiest Small Town – sponsored by SuperValu

Midlands & East Regional Award for 2019 – sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development

Midlands & East Medallist 2019 – sponsored by SuperValu

County Awards 2019 – sponsored by SuperValu

*Endeavour Award winners are those who achieved the greatest improvement in score in 2018*

Special Awards 2019

Inclusive Communities Award – sponsored by SuperValu

School Award – sponsored by SuperValu

Gum Litter Award – sponsored by The Gum Litter Taskforce, with funding from Mars Ireland

Appropriate Fenestration Award – sponsored by The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland

Tree Project Award – sponsored by The Tree Council of Ireland

Waters & Communities Award – sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland & The Local Authority Waters Programme

Local Authority Pollinator Award – sponsored by Local Authorities

Waste Prevention Award – sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency

Additional Waste Prevention Award – sponsored by The Clean Technology Centre of Cork Institute of Technology

Sustainable Development Award sponsored by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.