Killarney, Co Kerry, has won the overall award in the annual Tidy Towns competititon.
More than 820 communities from around the country entered the Tidy Towns National Awards for 2011. Killarney also claimed the award of Ireland's Tidiest Large Town.
Kilkenny City was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre; Lismore, Co Waterford was Ireland's Tidiest Small Town; and Emly, Co Tipperary was awarded Ireland's Tidiest Village.
The announcement, just a week after it was also voted Ireland’s cleanest town by a business group, has been welcomed by Killarney’s Tidy Towns committee.
Chair of the committee Yvonne Quille said volunteers had been out every evening after work for the past six months, painting, planting and picking up litter. The business community has also played its part by ensuring shop fronts and grounds were well looked after throughout the year, she said.
"Last year we were pipped at the post by just one point and this year the whole community came out in amazing numbers to support the tidy towns drive and get Killarney well and truly over the line.”
President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Tom Randles said the award was the accumulation of many years of work by many people.
Mayor of the town Sean Counihan said Killarney was now on the international stage once again, thanks to two successive Irish Opens which had beamed it into homes across the world.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan and Martin Kelleher, managing director of Supervalu, which sponsors the awards, presented the prizes, worth €210,000, during a ceremony in the Helix Theatre in Dublin.
"This is a fantastic achievement for Killarney, a great destination and a worthy winner," said Mr Hogan.
"I continue to be impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort.These people volunteer their time and effort, year on year, in order to make their communities better places."
Mr Hogan said 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 peoples' pride in where they live and helps to build stronger communities."
The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsored by SuperValu.