Westmeath town named as Ireland's tidiest

Ballinahown has been named Ireland's Tidiest Town at the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Awards this lunchtime.

It's the first time Ballinahown won the top overall national award.

Earlier in the ceremony, the Westmeath village had taken the Ireland's Tidiest Village category award, going forward as one of four finalists for the overall award.

At a ceremony in Croke Park , Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary announced Ballinahown as the winner of the overall award.

Ballinahown also took a special national Water and Communities Award as well as being chosen as the county award winner for Westmeath and the Midlands & East regional winner.

Abbeyleix in Laois was Ireland's Tidiest Small Town, Buncrana was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Town and Tralee as Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

The village was a gold medal winner, along with Athlone and Tyrrellspass, while a silver medal went to Mullingar.

Gold, silver and medals are awarded to entrants subject to being within a certain points range to the overall winners in their population category.

In Roscommon, the county award went to Keadue, which also took a gold medal with Ballintubber and Roscommon. Silver medals went to Castlecoote, and bronze to Cloontuskert and Tarmonbarry.

Minister Troy congratulates Ballinahown

Minister of State Robert Troy, TD, has congratulated Ballinahown Tidy Towns.

“Huge congratulations to everyone involved in Ballinahown Tidy Towns on this fantastic achievement of being crowned both Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Ireland’s Tidiest Village.

“This is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who, week in, week out, give their time to ensure their village and local community look their best.

“The TidyTowns competition is about much more than keeping our towns and villages looking their best - it is about, local pride and people coming together to make a positive difference in the places they call home.

“Ballinahown is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a community works together, and everyone involved should be immensely proud of this recognition.

“It is a wonderful achievement for Ballinahown and for Westmeath as a whole. It is great to see Ireland’s Tidiest Town right here in our county.”