Abbeyshrule named tidiest town

The Co Longford village of Abbeyshrule, which has just 200 residents, has won the SuperValu Tidy Towns award for 2012.

It beat a record 854 towns and villages – a record entry level - to the overall accolade, as well being named Ireland’s tidiest village.

Niamh Dowler, of Abbeyshrule Tidy Towns, said volunteers have been working hard for almost 30 years to claim the awards.

“This is incredible for a small village in south county Longford with about 200 inhabitants,” she said.

“It’s really a special day.

“We have been working on this, as a committee, for 25 to 30 years. It’s just phenomenal,” she said.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan presented the SuperValu TidyTowns Award for 2012 in front of almost 1,000 volunteers from all over the country.

Other winners included Clonakilty, Co Cork, which received the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town; Westport, Co Mayo, which received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town; and Ennis, Co Clare which was named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

For the first time, 13 TidyTowns local community heroes were also honoured.

Mr Hogan said Abbeyshrule was a worthy winner of the overall prize.

The picturesque River Inny and Royal Canal flow through the village, which was awarded 312 points out of a maximum 400.

Mr Hogan said: “I continue to be impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of all those involved in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition.

“These people volunteer their time and effort, year on year, in order to make their communities better places.

“The results of their efforts are to be seen in attractive, well cared-for towns and villages throughout the country.

“It is clear that working together, getting out there and getting things done increases people’s pride in where they live and helps to build stronger communities.”

A full list of the results can be found at: tidytowns.ie

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