L to R: Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Eamon Aylward and Frank Sullivan Inistioge Tidy Towns.

Inistioge have won gold in the Entente Florale Competition at an awards ceremony which took place on Saturday 22nd September in Tullamore Co. Offaly. The awards are organised by The European Association for Flowers and Landscape (AEFP) who receive applications from towns, villages and cities throughout Europe.

Inistioge were judged among the best in Europe and fought off tough competition. With just three villages in Europe winning gold awards, Inistioge have been awarded alongside Poříčí u Litomyšle in the Czech Republic and Vrees in Germany.

The aim of the Entente Floral competition is to enhance horticulture, tourism and environmental awareness and to promote a greener and more pleasant environment in European towns and villages. The annual competition encourages public authorities, private bodies and individuals to cooperate in beautifying their towns and villages by planting flowers and shrubs and developing and maintaining green spaces and parks.

Kilkenny County Council congratulates the people of Inistioge on their win. Mary Cashin, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kilkenny County Council says "The lead up to the adjudication encompassed months of hard work and dedication from the Inistioge Tidy Towns Committee and the people of Inistioge. They all worked tirelessly to present the village in the best possible light and to meet the standards required in the various adjudication categories. The competition has galvanised the community and further enhanced volunteerism to assist in maintaining the natural and built heritage of Inistioge. Comhghairdeas do mhuintir Inis Tíog."

The competition created great comradery between Kilkenny County Council and the local community, Mary says, "Kilkenny County Council supported the Inistioge Tidy Towns Committee to achieve the highest standards in its community for this competition and a strong connection between Kilkenny County Council and the local community has been developed."

Mary compliments Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum too, "Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum narrowly missed out on winning the President's Prize for restoration of a public open space however the adjudication panel were greatly impressed by the restoration works undertaken and the arboretum's collection of trees."
This year eight-member countries participated giving a total of fourteen settlements running in the competition. An international jury consisting of 8 members carried out an 'in situ' assessment of the town, villages and cities. Many aspects were taken into consideration including quality of landscape and vegetation, quality of natural and built environments, education and schools' ecology along with attractiveness and presentation.
www.entente-florale.eu

For more information, accompanying imagery or to speak with a spokesperson, please contact:
Róisín Maxwell, Purcell Masterson PR, 0858018946 / roisin@purcellmasterson.com