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Ballincollig, Co Cork has scooped a a €10,000 prize after being named Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2024 on Friday, November 1.

Not only is Ballincollig Ireland's Tidiest Town for the year, it has also been named the overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre for 2024.

Ireland's Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys announced the winners of Ireland's Tidy Town Awards on Friday, November 1.

Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin on Friday, with the event live-streamed to many more online.

This year, 904 towns were competing for the prestigious awards, demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958.

Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner on Friday, Minister Humphreys said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024.

“This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork.

“Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about.”

The Minister continued: “As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide.

“I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories.

“In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit.

“You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities.

“Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today.

“The impact of Supervalu TidyTowns can be seen, particularly in fostering inclusion, sustainability and community engagement.”

Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of TidyTowns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work, and visit.
Since 2017, the department has provided almost €11 million in funding to support the activities of these groups.

The Minister said: “The focus on sustainability and biodiversity are particularly impressive and important for all of us. The funding from my department will help Groups continue with their inspirational efforts to transform their communities and the local environment.”

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SuperValu TidyTowns Award Winners 2024

Ireland’s Tidiest Village 2024

  • Ballinahown, Co Westmeath

Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town 2024

  • Blackrock, Co Louth

Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town 2024

  • Westport, Co Mayo

Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2024

  • Ballincollig, Cork South

Special Award: Tree Project Award

Sponsored by the Tree Council of Ireland

  • Portlaoise TidyTowns Co Laois

Special Award: Climate Action Award

Sponsored by the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications

  • Youth Award: Bettystown TidyTowns Co Meath
  • Runner Up: Castlegregory TidyTowns Co Kerry
  • Village & Small Town: Ballymore Eustace TidyTowns, Co Kildare
  • Large Town & Large Urban Centre: Raheny TidyTowns, Co Dublin

Special Award: Young Persons in TidyTowns Awards

Sponsored by the Department Of Rural And Community Development

  • National Winner: Ballyphenane TidyTowns, Co Cork
  • Regional Winners: Balbriggan TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Ballinrobe TidyTowns, Co Mayo; Cahir TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Ballyphenane TidyTowns, Co Cork

Special Award: Town Centre First Award

Sponsored by the Department Of Rural And Community Development

  • National Winner: Carrickmacross TidyTowns, Co Monaghan
  • 2nd Prize: Carlingford TidyTowns, Co Louth
  • 3rd Prize: Balla TidyTowns, Co Mayo

Special Award: Island Award

Sponsored by the Department Of Rural And Community Development 

  • National Winner: Bere Island, Co Cork
  • Highly Commended:  Sherkin Island, Co Cork

Special Award: Gaeltacht Award

Sponsored by the Department Of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport And Media

  • National Winner: Beal an Mhuirthead, Co Maigh Eo
  • Highly Commended:  Carraig Airt, Co Dún Na nGall

Special Award: The Waters and Communities Award

Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and The Local Authority Waters Programme

  • National Winner: Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association, Co Cork
  • Winners: Bettystown TidyTowns, Co Meath; Cuan Beo Environmental CLG, Co Galway; Cahir TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association, Co Cork
  • Highly Commended: Ballinahown Community Development, Co Westmeath; Emyvale TidyTowns, Co Monaghan; Durrow TidyTowns, Co Laois; Castleconnell TidyTowns Co Limerick

Special Award: Leave No Trace Award

Sponsored by Leave No Trace Ireland

  • National Winner: Kilsheelan TidyTowns, Co Tipperary

Special Award: Heritage Award

Sponsored by The Heritage Council

  • National Winner: Ardmore TidyTowns, Co Waterford

Special Award: All-Ireland Pollinator Plan - Local Authority Pollinator Award

Sponsored by Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices Of Local Authorities Across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre

  • National Winner: Sneem TidyTowns, Co Kerry
  • Large Town Regional Winners: Raheny Tidy Village Group, Co Dublin; Oranmore TidyTowns, Co Galway; Clonmel TidyTowns, Co Tipperary
  • Small Town: Athboy TidyTowns, Co Meath; Beal an Mhuirthead, Co Maigh Eo; Kilsheelan TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Sneem TidyTowns, Co Kerry
  • Best Newcomer: Ballymun TidyTowns, Co Dublin
  • Highly Commended Certificate: Ardmore TidyTowns, Co Waterford; Balbriggan TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Buncrana TidyTowns, Co Donegal; Castlegregory TidyTowns, Co Kerry; Cavan TidyTowns, Co Cavan; Dalkey TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Rathmore TidyTowns, Co Kerry; Tullahought TidyTowns, Co Kilkenny

Special Award: EPA Circular Economy Award

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency 

  • National Winner: Rush TidyTowns Co Dublin
  • Highly Commended: Swords TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Kinvara TidyTowns, Co Galway

Special Award: Circular Economy Award

  • Sponsored by the Clean Technology Centre Of Munster Technological University
  • Award Winner: Abbey TidyTowns, Co Galway

Special Award: SuperValu School Award

Sponsored by SuperValu

  • Overall Winner: Dunboyne Senior NS, Co Meath
  • Regional Winners: Ballintleva NS Curraghboy, Co Roscommon; Scoil San Isadóir Cashel, Co Tipperary; Holy Family NS Tralee, Co Kerry

Special Award: SuperValu and AsIAm Inclusive Communities Award

Sponsored by SuperValu

  • National Winner: Balla Community TidyTowns, Co Mayo

Special Award: Gum Litter Task Force Award

Sponsored by the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT)

  • National Winner: Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society, Co Galway
  • Large Town & Large Urban Centre Winner: Sligo TidyTowns, Co Sligo
  • Village & Small Town Category Winner: Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society, Co Galway

Special Award: Bat Conservation Ireland Award

Sponsored by Bat Conservation Ireland

  • Playground Sculpture Winner: Castlegregory TidyTowns, Co Kerry
  • Bat Mural Winner: Sligo TidyTowns, Co Sligo