Westport recognised as Mayo's tidiest town

WESTPORT has scored the highest tally of any Mayo entry into the annual Supervalu TidyTowns Awards, just two points shy of the overall winner. 

The town - which won the competition outright on three occasions - was awarded their 23rd Gold Medal in a row after scooping 374 points and also came out on top in North West & West Region.

Westport TidyTowns' gardening project at The Octagon was cited as one of the best examples in the country while their anti-graffiti project was also praised. 

Eithne Larkin, Chairperson of Westport TidyTowns, told The Mayo News this afternoon (Friday) that the group were 'delighted' with their tally, which represented a 12-point increase on their last entry.

Neighbouring Mulranny trailed narrowly with 371 points and was also given a Gold Medal, as was Castlebar with 364.

Belmullet was awarded a silver medal for scoring 365 points and also received €1,500 for the National Winner of the Gaeltacht Award.

Ballyhaunis TidyTowns were awarded €1,000 for being named Regional Winners for North West & West.

Similarly, The Ripple Project Team (on behalf of Greenhills Biodiversity Group and Residents Association in Ballina) received €500 for the Regional Highly Commended award.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, who presented the Ireland's Tidiest Town Award to Abbeyleix, Co Kildare, said the standard of competition among the 887 entries was 'extremely high'. 

"In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of TidyTowns volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit. You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities," stated Minister Humphreys. 

Bullsmouth on Achill Island were awarded 220 and received an Endeavour Award for their entry. 

The full list of Mayo winners is as follows: 
Category A (Under 200 people)
Cong - Cunga Feicin 358
Kilmaine - Cill Mheáin 330
Kilkeeran - Cill Chiaráin 329
Aughagower - Achadh Ghobhair 276
Lecanvey - Leic an Anfadh 252
Bullsmouth - Bhéalbhuláin 220 - Endeavour Award

Category B (201 to 1,000 people)
Belcarra - Baile na Cora 347
Clogher - An Clochar 323
The Neale - An Eill 316
Knock - An Cnoc 266
Mulranny - An Mhala Raithní 371 - County Second & Gold Medal
Balla - Balla Alainn 349
Louisburgh - Cluain Cearbán 335
Kiltimagh - Coillte Mach 334
Newport - Baile Uí Fhiacháin 315
Ballindine - Baile an Daighin 309
Ballyheane - Béal Átha hÉin 287
Shrule - Sruthair 282
Ballycroy - Baile Chruaich 277

Category C (1,001 to 2,500 people)
Belmullet - Beal an Mhuirthead 365 County Third & Silver Medal
Ballyhaunis - Béal Átha hAmhnais 323
Swinford - Béal Átha na Muice 311
Charlestown - Baile Chathail 222

Category D (2,501 to 5,000 people)
Claremorris - Clár Chlainne Mhuiris 296
Ballinrobe - Baile an Róba 327

Category E (5,001 to 10,000 people)
Westport - Cathair na Mart 374 - County First & Gold Medal

Category F (10,001 to 15,000 people)
Ballina - Béal an Átha 354 - Bronze Medal
Castlebar - Caisleán an Bharraigh 364 - Gold Medal