SUPER VALU TIDY TOWNS AWARDS 2018

L to R: Mayor of Municipal District of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Peter 'Chap' Cleere, Stuart Day (KKB), Elaine Bradshaw (KKB), Maura Geary (KKB) and Simon Walton (Senior City Engineer).

Overall Improvements in Tidy Towns marks throughout County Kilkenny.

Huge congratulations go out to Keep Kilkenny Beautiful on Kilkenny City's performance in the 2018 Tidy Towns Competition.

In a competition made up of 833 contestants Kilkenny City amassed a total of 337 points, the third highest mark awarded in the competition and only two points behind Listowel, the overall winner. In achieving its mark, Kilkenny City is one of only 49 contestants to be awarded a Gold Medal and has won the title of Tidiest Urban Centre in the South East of Ireland. In amassing it's impressive tally of marks, Kilkenny City was also awarded the Waters and Communities South East Regional Award for the extent to which invasive species have been eradicated along the Rivers Nore and Breagagh in addition to Nature and Bio-Diversity Plans that have been developed for both Rivers .

Chairman of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee, Mr. Peter Bluett , stated that "the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee are absolutely thrilled with the award of 337 points which represents an increase of 7 marks for Kilkenny City compared to last year's marks total. It is recognition for the trojan work of our Committee, for the unending support we get from Kilkenny County Council, from local businesses, voluntary organisations, residents associations and individuals. For a town of our size to be only two points away from the highest mark means that Kilkenny City is up there with the best when it comes to Tidy Towns, a competition that is the essence in what community is all about."

Speaking at the awards ceremony Mayor of Municipal District of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Peter 'Chap' Cleere said that "it's fantastic to be here today to see Kilkenny City perform so excellently again in Tidy Towns. The presentation and upkeep of our City is a key driver of the local economy and also a means by which we, as Kilkenny people, express the pride we have in our local surroundings.

In congratulating Kilkenny City and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, I would also like to express a huge vote of congratulations to Inistioge and Tullahought villages both of whom were awarded Silver Medals. In addition to their Silver Medal, Paddy and Mary Egan from Tullahought were highly commended as Tidy Towns Community Heroes . The village also won a Pollinator Award. Congratulations to Windgap Tidy Towns Group who were awarded the Endeavour Award for County Kilkenny.

There were 18 applications from County Kilkenny to the Tidy Towns in 2018 and, irrespective of awards, I want to wholeheartedly commend those people who give of their time to make our County and their towns and villages a better place in which to live. They are the people who get out there and make positive things happen. Well done to you all and Thank You."