The Killarney Coffee Cup project – a progressive community initiative that has led to the removal of over 23,000 disposable coffee cups a week from the town – has been named the overall winner in this year’s Killarney Looking Good Competition.
Pictures: Marie Carroll O’Sullivan
Killarney became the first town in the country and set a nationwide example when declaring war against disposable cups that were spilling from bins, littering roads and blighting the national park.
Although still in its infancy, the project – which has had wonderful buy-in from local businesses and the community – has already more than a million cups removed from public areas, eliminating 18.5 tonnes of waste.
In addition to winning the Green Hospitality category, the Coffee Cup project was named the overall winner of the prestigious competition at a ceremony in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney on Monday night.
The special guest, who presented all the awards, was GAA superstar Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh who was a big hit with the packed attendance for her achievements in the GAA and her charm off the field of play.
The other big winners on the night were Paud Murphy from Ross Road who was awarded the Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award – presented by the late Yvonne’s husband John – and Pinewood Estate which won the Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award presented by Fr Michael’s brother, Bishop Emeritus Bill Murphy.
Keynote speakers on the night were Mayor of Killarney Cllr Maura Healy-Rae and Killarney Municipal District Manager Angela McAllen and the master of ceremonies was Killarney Tidy Towns Committee Chairman Michael Gleeson.
Over three decades after it was first initiated, the Killarney Looking Good Competition was revived last year with a new committee, new categories, new sponsors and a great sense of purpose.
It was no coincidence that when the competition was relaunched, it led to Killarney being crowned the tidiest large town in the country, finishing just one point behind the overall tidy towns winner Abbeyleix in Co Laois, and hopes are high that it can go one better in 2024.
The Killarney Looking Good Competition is organised by Killarney Municipal District Council and Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce. MD O’Shea & Sons are the overall sponsors of the competition and O’Mahony Media Ltd is the PR and media sponsor with photography sponsored by Marie Carroll O’Sullivan.
The competition runs throughout the tourist season and businesses and residential areas are monitored on an ongoing basis.
Killarney Looking Good Competition Winners 2024
Best Large Commercial Premises: Arbutus Hotel, College Street
Best Small Commercial Premises: Mr McGuire’s Olde Sweet Shop, College Square
Best Newly Painted Premises: The Dungeon, College Street
Best Public House: Charlie Foley’s Bar, New Street
Best Hotel: Cahernane House Hotel, Muckross Road
Best Restaurant: Foley’s Townhouse and Restaurant, High Street
Best Café: Deenagh Lodge, Knockreer
Best Retail: Kilkenny Design/Christy’s Gift Store, Main Street
Green Hospitality Award: Killarney Coffee Cup Project
Corporate Social Responsibility Award: Sisk
Restoration Award: Tigh Mary Donal’s, Muckross Road
Best Signage: Killarney Golf and Fishing Club
Best Guesthouse: Killarney Lodge Guesthouse, Countess Road
Best Private Residence: Paradise House, Dromhale
Best Large Estate: Castle Falls
Best Small Estate: Monastery Gardens
Best Roadside Garden: 47 St Brendan’s Place
Best Floral Display: Hussey’s Bar, High Street
Best Primary School: The Monastery, New Road
Best Secondary School: Killarney Community College, New Road
Most improved Premises: Quill’s Irish Jewellery, Main Street/New Street
Biodiversity Award: Niall Keogh, Mill Road
Best Public Building: Killarney Railway Station
Best Friendly Planting: BeBé Crèche and Montessori
Fr Michael Murphy Memorial Pride of Place Award: Pinewood Estate
Yvonne Quill Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award: Paud O’Donoghue, Ross Road
Highly Commended Awards:
- 3 Torc Terrace
- 7 Ard na Be, Aghadoe
- 21 Park Drive
- 20 Dromhall Park
- Silver Birch, Ballycasheen
- Villa Alverna, Park Road
Overall winner: Killarney Coffee Cup Project
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