Tidy Towns group in Tipperary claims water quality prize in annual award ceremony

Marlfield Village Association in Tipperary has been announced as the overall winner and the South East regional winner of the Waters and Communities Special Award 2025 at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony held in Croke Park on Friday, 24th October.

Marlfield Village Association has adopted a multi-faceted approach to raising awareness of their local water bodies, focusing on Marlfield Lake and the River Suir.

The group’s use of interpretive signage, visual art and guided walks around the lake have helped educate the public – both young and old - about the importance of the area’s rich aquatic biodiversity.

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Volunteer-led maintenance of Marlfield Lake and Sandybanks, including mowing, litter control, planting, and care for swans and ducklings, has deepened local pride and stewardship.

Successful partnerships with the local GAA club on a biodiversity plan, in addition to working closely with Tipperary County Council, Birdwatch Ireland and LAWPRO, among others, on a multitude of projects has helped bring improvements to water quality in the area.

Waterford’s Clashmore Tidy Towns claimed the runner-up prize in the South East region for their work promoting the River Greagagh through a wide range of awareness and stewardship activities, including litter picks, beach clean, citizen science events and kick-sampling workshops.

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Speaking about the awards Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO, said: “The members of Marlfield Village Association submitted an impressive application which showcased a range of ways community groups can help protect their local water body. Pride of place, stewardship, dedication and passion for improving Marlfield Lake, the Suir and nearby water bodies, were clear to see and their hard work deserves recognition at this national level.

Congratulations to the other regional winners and runners-up, and thank you to our partners SuperValu, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland for their continued work and support with the award.”

John McDonagh, CEO of Waterways Ireland, added: “Waterways Ireland judges were impressed by the energy and creativity of the Waters and Communities Award entries. The winning applications clearly showed how community groups are using their local waterbody to deliver innovative projects that create tangible environmental benefits, inclusive engagement opportunities and long-term water stewardship driven by local pride.”

Lynda Connor, Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland's south-eastern region, said: "Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is pleased to co-sponsor this award and warmly congratulates Marlfield Village Association. Our rivers, lakes, streams and canals are precious natural assets that boost biodiversity and enrich the environment for everyone. IFI also acknowledges the efforts of all entrants to the award and recognises the many groups committed to enhancing our vital waterways for future generations.”

The Waters and Communities Special Award has an overall prize fund of €7,000. It aims to encourage communities to get more involved with their local water bodies by helping to preserve, promote and fully utilise their local natural heritage. Community groups that showed an appreciation for their water environment, and for water heritage in general, during the past twelve months were invited to apply.

The Waters and Communities Special Award is funded by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Local Authority Waters Programme. Open to all community groups to apply, the Waters and Communities Special Award was first introduced in 2017 and is now a regular feature in the TidyTowns calendar.