Wins for Tidy Towns from across Mayo at 2025 national awards

The brilliant work of Tidy Towns from across Mayo was recognised at the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards Ceremony in Croke Park on Friday. 

A record number of Tidy Towns entered the competition, which is now in its 67th year.

Westport Tidy Towns was announced as winner of the National Climate Action Award for the Fr Angelus Food Forest Project and the EPA National Circular Economy Award. 

They also were crowned Mayo County Winner, before winning a gold medal. 

Westport Tidy Town's vice chairperson Patrick Ryder won highly recommended young person. 

"We are absolutely delighted with Westport’s performance in the 2025 Tidy Towns competition.  I am incredibly proud of my committee and volunteers,"  Westport Tidy Towns Chairperson Eithne Larkin told The Mayo News.

"This year’s results are a testament to the incredible community spirit, hard work, and dedication shown by our volunteers, local businesses, schools, and residents. Every litter pick, planter, and sustainability project has contributed to our success.

"While we always strive for improvement, this year’s recognition reinforces that our collective efforts are making a real difference. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to keep Westport looking its best — together, we’re building a cleaner, greener future."

She also wanted to give special mention to the Chamber and their CE scheme and SWMDC for TUS and RSS workers, and Mayo County Council outdoor staff.

Castlebar Tidy Towns won a gold medal, as well as the County Commended Award for Mayo and Castlebar was singled out as an example of inclusion as people from over 30 nationalities have participated in the group. 

Mulranny Tidy Towns won a gold medal and also took home the County Highly Commended award. 

Cong Village Tidy Towns was recognised with a Silver Medal. The jubilant team at Cong Village Town said, "We did it. We won our first ever National Tidy Towns silver medal. It’s been quite the day. Very very proud of our team."

Balla Tidy Towns won the National Winner of the Tree Project Award, as well as a Bronze medal. 

Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns was a regional winner in the Waters & Communities Award.

Béal an Mhuirthead was announced as a Village/Small Town Regional Winner in the All Ireland Pollinator Plan Local Authority Pollinator Award, as well as taking home a gold medal. 

Claremorris Tidy Towns won an Endeavor Award at the ceremony in Croke Park. 

Community meitheal

Ballina Tidy Towns won a gold medal at the event. 

Speaking before presenting the overall award to Carrick-on-Shannon, Mayo Minister Dara Calleary praised the sense of meitheal shown by Tidy Towns volunteers up and down the county and noted how Tidy Towns has evolved into a movement of sustainability. 

He also praised how the community and town of Ballina responded to the theft of tools and equipment from Ballina Tidy Towns. 

“They gathered around them, the students and teachers of St. Muredach's College and organised a fundraiser to ensure that those tools and that equipment was replaced. That is how highly Ballina Tidy Towns and all of you are regarded within your community. When you need that support, your community will rally around, so thank you to all of those communities.”

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht also announced an extra €1.5million will be made available for Tidy Towns next year.

He also noted that the Tidy Towns unit in the Department is based in Ballina and commended the work of Helen Murray, as she leaves the Tidy Towns team after more than 13 years.

Luke Hanlon, Managing Director SuperValu and Centra hailed Liam Campion, from Kavanagh's Westport Supervalu, for his unwavering dedication. "Westport Tidy Towns committee has been central to the town's transformation, a true pioneer of the tidy towns competition, They have  gone above and beyond to inspire others and make a lasting difference in the community,” he said.