Moynalty in County Meath has been named best of the 832 towns and villages that entered this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted by great celebration at the awards ceremony in The Helix in Dublin. 

On hand to present the prizes was Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Mr. Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor. The Helix was packed with representatives of TidyTowns groups from all over the country, eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winners.

Moynalty also claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Other winners included Kenmare, Co Kerry which received the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town. Killarney, Co Kerry received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, and Ennis, Co. Clare retained their title as Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Speaking after the awards Minister Hogan said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Moynalty after 53 years in the competition; a really worthy winner. My congratulations to Moynalty and all of the other prize-winners today.  I am always impressed by the ambition and enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort. These people volunteer their time, effort and expertise, year on year, to help make their communities better places to live and work in. The results of their efforts are obvious in the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country.  It is clear that working together, getting to know your neighbours, and getting things done increases peoples’ pride in where they live and helps to build vibrant communities. This is why I am delighted to see this competition continues to sustain great interest, even after 55 years.”

The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor. He said: “I would like to thank SuperValu for their continued sponsorship for the past 22 years. SuperValu has been integral to sustaining and developing the TidyTowns competition, through their financial sponsorship and the support provided to TidyTowns groups by their local stores. An integral part of SuperValu's promise to its customers is “We believe in Local”. Through their continued sponsorship of this competition, they have proven that this is not just something they say, but also something they do”.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu added: “SuperValu TidyTowns is the public expression of the work countless individuals undertake to build community spirit and make their local area a better place to live. SuperValu together with its countrywide network of local retailers is - through the continued sponsorship of TidyTowns - committed to helping build and support vibrant local communities. I am delighted to congratulate this year’s winners and to recognise the commitment and dedication of TidyTowns committees nationwide who make such a real difference at a local level.”

Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been consistently high in recent times with the number of entries exceeding 800 each year for the last three years. This year communities were encouraged to ‘Help their communities shine’ in a promotional campaign by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsor SuperValu. 
 
The TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsored by SuperValu. The TidyTowns competition has been sponsored by SuperValu since 1992.