Clonmellon blossoms as judges choose Tidy Towns winners

Anticipation was palpable in St John’s Church in Clonmellon as residents enjoyed coffee, cupcakes and treats, on Saturday afternoon, while they waited patiently for the three independent judges’ final decisions of the Clonmellon Tidy Towns Competition 2025.

The hard working judges were: Michelle Whelan, economic development officer, WCC; Jason McCormack, regeneration officer WCC, and Cllr David Jones.

The competition was organised by John Wilson of Clonmellon Tidy Towns, who works tirelessly to maintain the village and its environs.

Announcing the winners proved easier for the judges than the task of viewing, inspecting and judging as they walked from arrival in Clonmellon at 9.30am until 1.30pm. Then came comparing their findings over lunch, for the entirety of the village, the four lead-in roads, and all of 14 encompassing estates. Not dismayed by the task at hand, judging was completed at 3.30pm and the announcements began.

The overall winner for best garden in Clonmellon was Brian Darby of Kilskyre Road, and owner of a picturesque garden that meanders from the front of the house to the side garden and guides the eye to the beautiful display in the back garden. Congratulations Brian. The coveted award for the best kept large estate went to Carrig Mhór, which, under the stewardship of Amy Byrne, was in pristine condition. Congratulations to Amy and all the Carrig Mhór residents.

The award for the best kept small estate went to Church View, transformed through dedication by the green fingers of Marie Henry and Martina Ash.

A huge thanks to the judges and sponsors of the Clonmellon Tidy Towns Competition 2025, without whom it would not have been possible (judges named above); Love Irish Tours, Pheasant Lane Accommodation And Holistic Therapies, Killua Castle, Tirlán Country Life, Athboy, Allied Recycling, Pet Treats, Leonard’s Shop, St John’s Church, Summerbank Nursery, Oldcastle, and Agnes Baloo Cupcakes.

A big thanks also to the organiser John Wilson, to Marie Henry and Martina Ash, who provided tea, coffee, cupcakes and refreshments, and those who work with John Wilson, planting, cleaning and developing Clonmellon Village every year.

Results

Best Overall Garden in Clonmellon: First, night Away with dinner in hotel, Brian Darby, Kilskyre Road; second, dinner for two at Killua Castle, Elaine Smyth, 11 Kilskyre Boreen; third, Tirlán Country Life voucher, Angela O’Toole, 27 Cluain Mhór.

Most Cheerful Dwelling in Clonmellon Village: prize, two-night stay in Pheasant Lane Accommodation and Holistic Therapies, winners, Ken and Angela Martin.

Best Kept Business Street Front: prize, Framed Tidy Towns Certificate 2025, winner, Leonard’s Shop.

Best Kept Estate, for the two categories, Framed Tidy Towns Certificate 2025: Best Kept Large Estate, more than 15 houses, Carrig Mhór Estate. Best Kept Small Estate, fewer than 15 houses, Church View Estate.

Best kept (Front) Garden in Each Estate, awarded Framed Tidy Towns Certificate 2025 and prize; large estates, best kept garden in each estate, 1. Killallon Road Estate, Jim Taaffe no 16; 2.Raiskeen Place, Lijana Katkus, no 16; 3. Kilskyre Boreen, Elaine Smyth, no 11; 4 Carrig Mhór Estate, Amy Byrne no 11; 5. Cluain Mhór Estate, Angela O’Toole, no 27.

Small Estates: Best kept garden in each estate: 1. Raístin Court, Margaret Brennan, no 1; 2. Killallon Close, Ciara Doyle, no 6; 3. Little Meadows, Susan Brennan, no 2; 4. Woodville Place, Tommy McNamee, no 1; 5. Cnoc An Rí, Annette Leavy, no 9; 6. Cluain Milaín, Angela Douglas, no 13; 7. Delvin Road, Thomas Henry; 8. Church View, Marie Henry, no 4; 9. Shantobar, Sheamus Reilly, no 5.