New Tidy Towns group wins top prize in annual Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District awards

Carrick-on-Suir Tidy Towns & Environmental Group received €2,000 in Carrick MD's Tidy Towns Awards for achieving the biggest improvement in the national Tidy Town contest

Pictured above: Carrick-on-Suir Tidy Towns & Environment Group were overall winners in Carrick Municipal District Tidy Towns Awards. They are seated front row from left: Ray Daly, Brian White, Iryna Hontarenko and Oksana Kuznietsova. Back: Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne, District Administrator Marie Cox and Cllr Amy Goldsboro. Picture Joe Kenny

Carrick-on-Suir Tidy Towns & Environment Group received the top prize of €2,000 at this year’s Carrick Municipal District Tidy Towns Awards ceremony.

The group earned the honour at the recent awards reception in the Carraig Hotel in Carrick-on-Suir for achieving the biggest improvement in performance in the 2025 SuperValu National Tidy Towns Contest in the district that stretches from Carrick-on-Suir town to Ballinure near Thurles.

Carrick Tidy Towns increased its total marks by 20 points in the national contest compared to last year.

It’s a major achievement for the community group that was revived just over a year and a half ago and received a special prize at last year’s district Tidy Towns awards as a new entrant to the national competition.

Indeed, nine of the district’s fourteen Tidy Towns groups honoured at the district awards achieved double digit increases in their points in the national contest.

Betty Egan and Helen O’Brien (centre) accepting Cloneen Tidy Towns Group’s award of €1,600 from Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne. Also pictured are from left: Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, Cllr David Dunne, District Administrator Marie Cox and Cllr Amy Goldsboro.

Cloneen Tidy Towns group was only two points behind Carrick-on-Suir with an 18-point increase in the national contest and received €1,600 prize money in the Carrick MD Tidy Towns awards for its members efforts.

Ballingarry and Faugheen increased their scores by 15 points and received €1,300.

Killenaule Tidy Towns was awarded €1,250 for achieving a 14-point increase while Ahenny/Clashnasmuth Tidy Towns was awarded €1,150 for a 12-point improvement.

Ballyneale, Ballynonty and Moyglass Tidy Towns groups were tied on an 11 point increase and all received €1,100.

Drangan, Grangemockler, Mullinahone and Fethard Tidy Towns groups were each awarded €1,000 for their respective increases.

A special award was presented to to Glengoole Tidy Towns Group as a new entrant in the national contest this year.

Glengoole Tidy Towns Group members receiving the special award. Pictured from left: Cllr Mark Fitzgerald, Mary Clancy of Glengoole Tidy Towns, Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne, James Brennan of Glengoole Tidy Towns, District Administrator Marie Cox and Cllr Amy Goldsboro.

The awards were presented by Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne. Other councillors representing communities in the district also attended the ceremony.

Cllr Dunne paid tribute to all of the attendees, noting their dedication and commitment to enhancing the appearance and sustainability of their local community.

The Sinn Féin councillor noted the contribution of all the groups members to their local areas and the huge positive impact they have on the quality of life of residents in their communities.

Cllr Dunne said he was delighted to be there with fellow councillors to present certificates and financial rewards to the recipients.

He also expressed the hope that the groups would continue their success in the national Tidy Towns competition and return in coming years to celebrate their achievements.

Check out more photos from Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District's Tidy Towns Awards in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.