Congratulations pour in as Leitrim town makes history in Tidy Town competition

Congratulations are flooding in for Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns, which took home the national title today at a ceremony in Croke Park.

It marks the first time a Leitrim town has ever claimed the overall award, while also being named Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town. 

The seven members of the Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns thought they might win in the small town category when they made the trip up to Dublin today, but were “Delighted” to win the top prize, according to chairperson John Gaffey.

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“We were quite shocked, but when we saw that we had won the regional, then we thought we must be in with a shout,” said Gaffey on the train back to Carrick-on-Shannon where a reception will be held in the market yard for them.

Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland’s smallest town, finished third in last year’s competition. Gaffey believes it was the creativity they showed this year that was the difference, as they ran a seed exchange and a project to plant healthy Ashe trees around the area. 

On top of that, they added little touches like the boat of rowers up near the Shannon roundabout, as well as small pieces of art around the town, and a selfie bench.

“This year we had such a big effort, we have so many volunteers, we had 60-70 volunteers … any wall that was looking dirty, we were out painting it, you know, just little things, we didn’t leave a stone unturned.”

600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu Tidy Towns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin, with the event livestreamed to many more online.

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Announcing Carrick-on-Shannon as the overall winner, Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary offered his “deepest congratulations” to the volunteers involved in Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns.

 “This is a wonderful achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Carrick-on-Shannon and indeed the wider county of Leitrim.”

Sligo Leitrim Minister for further Education Marian Harkin offered her “ heartfelt congratulations ” to the people of Carrick-on-Shannon. “To be recognised not only as the tidiest small town, but as the overall national winner, is a reflection of the pride, dedication, and community spirit that defines Carrick-on-Shannon,” she said.

She was joined by Deputy Frank Feighan, who paid “a special tribute to the fantastic volunteers who have developed the dream of winning this prestigious competition for many years.”

Some of the other big winners on the day included: Rosscarbery, Co. Cork awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Village, Dalkey, Co. Dublin awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town, Tralee, Co. Kerry awarded Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre. 

Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Joseph Gilhooley also expressed his delighted at Carrick-on-Shannon winning the competition.

“Today is a wonderful day for Carrick-on-Shannon and indeed County Leitrim. It is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment by the Tidy Towns Committee and the large number of volunteers whom they call upon, to make Carrick-on-Shannon the clean, tidy, attractive and vibrant town that it is.”

He concluded by saying, “In addition to Carrick-on-Shannon’s significant achievement, I also wish to congratulate Dromod Tidy Towns committee on being awarded a Bronze Medal for their efforts in maintaining the village of Dromod”