Killarney has been declared Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town in this year’s national Tidy Towns competition.
The prestigious award – one of the top honours that can be achieved – will spark great celebrations in the town and it will give businesses and residents a real boost as another tourist season draws to a close.
The awards were presented this Friday afternoon at a gala reception in Croke Park where Abbeyleix, Co Laois was declared Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town and just pipped Killarney for the overall award.
Killarney was awarded 375 marks out of a possible 550 which was a whopping 14points higher than last year and just one short of the overall winner.
Killarney Tidy Towns Committee Chairman, Michael Gleeson, said he was “absolutely delighted” to hear the fantastic news.
“It is a particularly wonderful achievement given that this was our first year involved since the death of our inspirational leader Yvonne Quill,” he said.
“Yvonne was obviously working a miracle for the town she loved from on high,” he added.
The committee chairman praised the enormous effort put in by the outdoor staff of Killarney Municipal District Council who ensure the town is looking its best and he also thanked all the volunteers involved in the regular clean-up gatherings and the people of Killarney for showing such pride of place.
Killarney won the overall award in 2011 and the town has been a consistent gold medal winner since then but securing Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town is a major cause for celebration.
Tidy Towns Committee stalwart Kathleen Foley, her husband, Cormac, and Billy Daly of SuperValu Killarney travelled to Croke Park for the awards ceremony and she said she was stunned and delighted when the results were announced.
Killarney also won the Kerry county award and the regional award and it fought off stiff competition from 886 other towns and villages to claim the largest town prize.
A special effort was made in Killarney this year, including the return of the Killarney Looking Good Competition which has helped to greatly enhance the visual image of the town.
The Looking Good competition prizes will be presented at a ceremony in the Killarney Plaza Hotel on Monday, October 16.
Geashill, Co Offaly won the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Village and and Ballincollig, Co Cork was declared Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
The winners were announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
Advertise where it will be seen: For great value advertising contact news@killarneytoday.com or call 087-2229761
