SUPER VALU TIDY TOWNS AWARDS 2019

Overall Improvements in Tidy Towns marks throughout County Kilkenny

The results of the 2019 Tidy Towns competition were announced on Monday 30th September. Congratulations go out to Keep Kilkenny Beautiful on Kilkenny City's performance in the 2019 Tidy Towns Competition.

In a competition made up of 918 contestants Kilkenny City amassed a total of 342 points which was an increase of 5 points on last year and only 4 points behind the overall winner. In achieving its mark, Kilkenny City is one of only 48 contestants to be awarded a Gold Medal. Keep Kilkenny Beautiful was also awarded a runner-up position in the Sustainable Development category for its work on the River Nore Walk.

Chairman of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee, Mr. Peter Bluett, stated that "Keep Kilkenny Beautiful is very happy with the award of 342 points which represents an increase of 5 marks for Kilkenny City compared to last year's marks total and was runner up under category H "large urban centre" award. This is also one of the most comprehensive reports received for many years by Kilkenny City which sets out many comments, recommendations and guidance in relation to the future sustainable development of our City. In addition to receiving the county award and a gold medal, Kilkenny City is honoured to have also received a Runner-up Award under the sustainable development award category for the River Nore Walk and also the All Ireland Pollinator Plan Local Authority Pollinator Award under the Large Town Category for the South East of Ireland. These awards are in recognition of 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. 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."

Mayor of Municipal District of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Martin Brett said that 'it's great to see Kilkenny City perform so well again in the Tidy Towns competition. 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.

Cllr. Peter 'Chap' Cleere, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, congratulated Kilkenny City and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, adding "I would like to express a huge vote of congratulations to the villages of Inistioge and Tullahought which were awarded silver medals and Tullahought village also won a Pollinator Award. Congratulations to Ballyragget Tidy Towns Group who were awarded the Endeavour Award for County Kilkenny.

There were 21 applications from County Kilkenny to the Tidy Towns in 2019 and, irrespective of awards, I want to 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."