Co Clare town of Ennis wins Tidy Towns prize

Ennis, Co Clare, was announced as Ireland's tidiest town for 2005 at a Tidy Towns reception this afternoon in Dublin Castle.

Ennis was also awarded Ireland's title as tidiest large town.

Other winners in this year's competition, which had almost 700 competitors, were Moynalty, Co Meath, named Ireland's tidiest village, and Lismore, Co Waterford, which was named Ireland's tidiest small town.

Mountmellick, Co Laois was the winner of this year's "Race Against Waste"

While Ballyduff, Co Wexford, Spiddle, Co Galway, Oughterard Co Galway, Sallins, Co Kildare and Swords, Co Dublin won the best new entry award for their respective categories.

The Ennis Tidy Town committee was presented with cheques for €15,000 and for €4,000 for its two wins and also a perpetual trophy. It's the first time the town has won the award.

The Tidy Towns competition is run by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

This year the total Tidy Towns Prize Fund was increased by 20 per cent to over €180,000.