Laois Community & Voluntary Awards Climate Action Award winner 2024 #laoisawards

Portarlington Tidy Towns is the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards Climate Action Award winner for 2024.

This award recognises communities carrying out awareness initiatives and actions that make a positive contribution against climate change. Climate actions can encourage your community to improve the impact of their everyday choices, support local communities and foster a sustainable approach to protecting the environment.

Portarlington Tidy Towns are huge contributors to their community and their hard work and dedication has allowed them to achieve a lot in their town. The group advocated for the placement of electrical cables underground and the installation of ornate lights on the main street. In addition, the group also exerted significant influence in the design of the new street pavements and the revitalization of the Market House and Town Square and actively contributed to the development of the Energy Master Plan for Portarlington.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Padraig Fleming of Laois County Council presented the group with their prize a Galway Crystal Plate and prize-money of €500.

Runners up in the Climate Action category were Rathdowney Men’s Shed who were nominated for their dedicated efforts of developing a community garden from a once underutilised and overgrown space. 

Runners up  Rathdowney Men’s Shed 

This award is sponsored by Laois Climate Action section in Laois County Council.

The other nominee was: 

• Mountmellick Tidy Towns

The award was presented with the award at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel on Friday, November 8.  

This is the 15th year of the awards which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union.

The following are the nominee profiles for the Climate Action Award:

Rathdowney Men’s Shed: All Rathdowney Men’s Shed members are local, with most are over 60 years old. Due to the dedicated efforts of the Rathdowney Men's Shed Community Garden members, the once underutilised and overgrown space has been completely transformed. The group planted a diverse array of vegetables, flowers, and trees, creating a vibrant and productive garden. The transformation has been remarkable, turning a neglected area into a flourishing community asset.

Mountmellick Tidy Towns: Mountmellick Tidy Towns have worked tirelessly to develop their River Walk in the town, which is a haven for wildlife and is rich in ragwort plants which provides a home for cinnabar caterpillars. Cranes, bats and ducks inhabit the area, with an abundance of trout in the river. Bat boxes have been provided along the walkway; with wildlife signs showcase the variety of living creatures.

Portarlington Tidy Towns: Portarlington Tidy Towns are huge contributors to their community and their hard work
and dedication has allowed them to achieve a lot in their town. The group advocated for the placement of electrical cables underground and the installation of ornate lights on the main street. In addition, the group also exerted significant influence in
the design of the new street pavements and the revitalization of the Market House and Town Square and actively contributed to the development of the Energy Master Plan for Portarlington.

The Leinster Express / LAOIS LIVE is honoured to be the media partner.