Shannon Region Wins 24 Awards In National TidyTowns Competition

News - Local

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 14:19

Written by Denise Lyons

The invaluable work of TidyTowns Committees throughout the Shannon Region in enhancing the environment was applauded this week at the Shannon Region TidyTowns award presentation ceremony held in Bunratty Folk Park, Co. Clare.

At the prize-giving ceremony, a range of TidyTowns Awards were presented by Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Mr. Des O’Mahony, Marketing Manager of SuperValu, the overall competition sponsor, and Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development.

The Competition is organised nationally by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and is co-ordinated in the Shannon Region by Shannon Development, the regional tourism authority for the Shannon Region.

In all, the Shannon Region received 24 TidyTowns Awards with Ennis, Co. Clare, once again winning the overall Shannon Region TidyTowns Award of €2,000, sponsored by Repak.

The Shannon Development TidyTowns ‘Personality Award’, always a closely guarded secret until the Awards ceremony, was unveiled at the event by John King, Shannon Development’s Assistant Chief Executive, who was the MC for the Awards ceremony, and presented by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development. This special annual Award was instigated in 2000 by Shannon Development to acknowledge long-service and commitment by an individual working voluntarily for the benefit of their community.

The 2011 Shannon Development TidyTowns ‘Personality Award’ was awarded to Anne Loughnane in acknowledgement of her tremendous contribution over the years to Templemore TidyTowns. Speaking about the award, John King said, “Anne is a wonderful role model for TidyTowns volunteers and the invaluable work they do for their local communities.” Anne received a beautiful flamed-beech woodturned bowl designed by Johnny McCarthy, Cottage Woodturning, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

SHANNON REGION TIDYTOWNS AWARDS WINNERS

Overall the Shannon Region scooped 24 regional awards, including the Shannon Development TidyTowns ‘Personality Award’ which was announced on the night.

COUNTY CLARE TIDYTOWNS AWARDS WINNERS:

Ennis, Co. Clare once again scooped the overall Shannon Region TidyTowns Award of €2,000, which was sponsored by Repak. This year’s SuperValu Endeavour Award of €500 went to Bridgetown.                                    

In the County Awards section, Ennis was the winner in Co. Clare receiving an award of €1,000, with Ballynacally winning a Highly Commended Award of €800 and Kilrush receiving a Commended Award of €500.

In the Medal Awards, Ballynacally, Ennis and Kilrush won Gold Medal Awards in their population categories receiving €900 each, and Mountshannon won the Silver Medal award of €700.

COUNTY LIMERICK TIDYTOWNS AWARD WINNERS:

The Best Bring Bank Award sponsored by Repak went to Adare in Co. Limerick with a prize of €1,000 and this year’s SuperValu Endeavour Award of €500 went to Cappamore.  The Regional ‘Notice Nature Biodiversity Award’ of €1,000, sponsored by National Parks and Wildlife Service, went to Knockainey Village Nature/Wildlife Area.

In the County Awards section, Adare again emerged as overall Co. Limerick Award winner receiving an award of €1,000, with Ardpatrick receiving a Highly Commended Award of €800, and Galbally Commended receiving an award of €500. In the Medal Awards, Adare Co. Limerick won a gold medal receiving a prize of €900.

NORTH TIPPERARY TIDYTOWNS AWARD WINNERS:

Birdhill scooped a Gold Medal in the competition again this year receiving an award of €900, Terryglass won a Bronze Medal Award of €400, and this year’s SuperValu Endeavour Award of €500 went to Capparoe, Co. Tipperary. The Climate Change Award of €1,000 went to Cloughjordan.

In the County Awards section of the Competition, Birdhill was the overall County winner in North Tipperary receiving an award of €1,000, Terryglass was Highly Commended receiving an award of €800, and Silvermines Commended received an award of €500.

In addition, the Shannon Development TidyTowns ‘Personality Award’ announced on the night went to Anne Loughnane for her tremendous contribution over the years to Templemore TidyTowns.  Anne received a  beautiful flamed-beech woodturned bowl designed by Johnny McCarthy, Cottage Woodturning, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.