Friday 6 October, in the Hogan Suite, Croke Park, was the date and location for the 2023 SuperValu National Tidy Towns Awards. Five members of Dromiskin Tidy Towns were in attendance at an event hosted by broadcaster Mary Kennedy and with Nationwide’s Anne Cassin also recording the proceedings for RTE. The competition has been running since 1958 and SuperValu began its generous sponsorship in 1990. This year’s awards mark 33 years of ongoing support from the Irish retailer. There are over 1,000 Tidy Town committees in Ireland comprising in excess of 30,000 volunteers carrying out invaluable work in their communities. There were 886 entries in the 2023 competition and the prizes for overall winners were presented by Heather Humphries, Minister for Rural and Community Development and Ian Allen, Managing Director of SuperValu.
Dromiskin Tidy Towns received their first medal in 2021 - a bronze. This was retained in 2022. Accordingly there was jubilation and whoops of joy when the large screen indicated that this year, for the first time ever, we had been awarded a silver medal with a total of 361 points. This was an increase of 12 points on last year’s total and is a fitting reward for many years of commitment and endeavour from dedicated Tidy Town volunteers. From a low base, we have improved incrementally year on year to the point where Dromiskin is now placed third in County Louth behind Tallanstown and top of the class, Blackrock. Dundalk, Drogheda and Dundalk hold gold medals, with Ardee and Dromiskin both achieving silver status. Carlingford and Tallanstown maintain their bronze awards. Louth with an overall haul of 7 medals continues to punch above its weight.
Ireland’s Tidiest Small Village was Geashill in County Offaly. Tidiest Small Town was Abbeyleix, County Laois, who narrowly pipped Blackrock to achieve this honour. Tidiest Large Town was Killarney in County Kerry and the Tidiest Large Urban Centre was Ballincollig in County Cork. Overall winner, and Ireland’s tidiest town for 2023, was Abbeyleix sparking wild celebrations in the O Moore County. Ian Allen, from sponsors SuperValu lauded the efforts of all Tidy Town participants and stressed that continuous local actions at Tidy Towns level can end up having a global impact. Minister Humphries, to loud applause, assured all present of her Department’s continued support for the Tidy Towns’ organisation and confirmed increased funding for 2024.
This silver medal award is a huge boost for everyone concerned and provides impetus and encouragement for 2024. Many thanks to all those who offered congratulations - your continued support is much appreciated. On that note new volunteers are always welcome in our quest to make Dromiskin environmentally sustainable and promote best practice in waste management, energy conservation and biodiversity.
The full adjudicators’ 2023 report on Dromiskin can be read in the Reports section of this website and can also be accessed on Facebook.
Check out the slideshow above for more pictures
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