LITTER ACTION, GROUP A The group from Ballyhaunis, who were Overall Winners in the Litter Action League, Group A, pictured at the Ramada Hotel, Ballina with Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus Weir, and local councillors.
Community efforts commended News Feature Emer Gallagher BIG BROTHER is watching! That was the message from Mayo County Council Director of Services Seamus Granahan at the Cleaner Community Awards last week.
Mr Granahan said various technologies such as CCTV and ‘fly-overs’ have been very useful in the Council’s ‘fight against illegal dumping and the people who inadvertently try to destroy our natural environment’.
There was a huge attendance at the Mayo County Council 17th annual Cleaner Community Awards in the Ramada Hotel in Ballina last Tuesday (April 22) where 24 community-based groups were recognised for their achievements in promoting and maintaining a cleaner environment.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Seamus Weir, welcomed everybody on what he called a very special occasion. “The level of interest is evidence that people are actively engaged in improving and enhancing their environment. I commend everybody involved in this voluntary work. They are an example within their community and they are well-deserving of the award they receive,” said Cllr Weir.
The importance of the partnership between the County Council and the community-based groups around the county was highlighted, along with the need to educate young minds about environmental issues.
“We have been blessed to inherit this beautiful county and it is our duty to protect it and hand it over to future generations. By letting it degenerate we are denying our children the right to their full inheritance,” added Cllr Weir.
The Cathaoirleach also commended the work of Sean Smyth, Senior Environmental Officer and the staff of the Environment offices. “I would like to thank them for the tremendous work they have done not only tonight but throughout the year,” said Cllr Weir.
The innovation from the competition organisers and the constant quest for an improved environment was shown yet again with the addition of a new category this year. ‘The Golden Mile’ was open to all new and existing community groups or individuals. The entrants chose a stretch of country road and aimed to enhance the visible natural heritage in a bid to raise the importance of our Mayo’s rich heritage. The inaugural winners of the award were Clogher Environmental Group.
Mayo County Council Director of Services, Seamus Granahan deputised on behalf of County Manager Des Mahon, who was unavoidably absent.
“It is very important for Mayo County Council from the point of view of involving ourselves in partnership with tidy towns and all the various organisations with one goal in mind – to keep our county a green county and to make it a better place to live in,” said Mr Granahan. Mr Granahan said the Council having being trying to tackle litter problems through education and awareness, community involvement and enforcement.
Though the awards highlighted the high levels of community spirit in the county, one of the main messages that came through from the night was the need for more volunteers to get involved in their community in an effort to enhance and protect their surroundings.
ENVIRONMENT The group from Partry Residents’ Association who won first prize in the Local Area Environment category, pictured at the Ramada Hotel, Ballina with Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus Weir, and local councillors.
LITTER ACTION GROUP C1 The group from Polranny, Achill who were Overall Winners in the Litter Action League, Group C1, pictured at the Ramada Hotel, Ballina with Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus Weir, and local councillors.
Pics: John O’Grady
Memory of Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns stalwart is honoured Emer Gallagher RECEIVING an Overall Litter Action League Award on Tuesday night last was an emotional and memorable experience for Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns committee.
The fact that their chairman and ‘main stalwart’, the late Enda Murphy (right), was not with them to celebrate the long-sought-after award was to the forefront of everyone’s mind as his daughter Deirdre accepted the award on behalf of the committee.
But secretary of the Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns Committee, Mary Donnelly, said that Enda Murphy was the ‘proudest man’ in the town when he received confirmation of the award shortly before his death last month.
“He was known to every official in Mayo County Council for having been in contact with them over something. Unfortunately he died very suddenly less than a month ago,” said Mary Donnelly.
“He was a big loss for our committee and Ballyhaunis in general; he was a great advocate for the town. He was always trying to bend the ear of some official if he could procure something for Ballyhaunis.
“He got the letter before he died to say Ballyhaunis had won and he was the proudest man in Ballyhaunis and I think if it were possible he would have been prouder, had he been here tonight. But we are delighted that we are honouring his memory.”
Mayo County Council Environmental Officer Sean Smyth commended the group on their well-deserved award and remembered Mr Murphy as ‘an icon for Tidy Towns over the years’.
“He was their main stalwart, their full forward, and I am sure he is smiling down tonight,” said Mr Smyth.
The group, who have been taking part in the competition every year, have vowed to maintain the high standards and are hoping to retain their crown next year.
Along with a trophy, the committee received a prize of €2,000. The Tidy Towns Committee put enormous effort into the competition, promoting litter awareness, organising clean–ups and encouraging community involvement. Many members spent evenings picking up rubbish and litter in the town.
Mayo County Council Cleaner Community Awards
Tidy Burial Ground
1. Leigue Burial Ground, Rathkip Ballina; 2. Bonnifinglas Burial Ground, Attymass; 3. Ballinahaglish Burial Ground, Ballina
Tidy Housing
1. Blackrock Court, Quay Road, Ballina; 2. The Spires, Church Road, Ballina; 3. Cloonmonad Close, Westport
Litter Free Mile Category
1. Innishbiggle Tidy Towns; 2. Kilkeeran Residents Association; 3. Coiste Cultúr Teanga agus Forbartha Thuar Mhic Éadaigh
Local Area Environment Project
1. Partry Residents’ Association; 2. Tidy Towns Rural Social Scheme, Louisburgh; 3. Ballina Tidy Towns
Litter Action League
Group C2 Overall winner: Partry; Runner-up: The Neale
Group C1 Overall winner: Polranny; Runner-up: Aughagower
Group B Overall winner: Bonniconlon; Runner-up: Belcarra
Group A Overall winner: Ballyhaunis; Runner-up: Charlestown
Golden Mile Competition
Overall winner: Clogher; Runner-up: Mulranny; 3. Crosspatrick
4. Glenamoy
