Longford and Abbeyshrule celebrating gold medal SuperValu TidyTowns success

The idyllic south Longford village of Abbeyshrule was once again announced as the county winner at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony in Croke Park today (Friday, November 1). 

The hard working Abbeyshrule committee increased their marks total by eleven on their 2023 performance.

And to put this in perspective, Abbeyshrule's superb 384 total was just two behind that of the 2024 National Award Winner Ballinacollig and one point adrift of Ballinahown, Blackrock and Westport, the Tidiest Village, Tidiest Small Town and Tidiest Large Town winners, respectively. 

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Abbeyshrule, in 2012, were the National Award Winners and more than a decade on they are proudly maintaining the exceptionally high standards that they have set for themselves. As County First and Gold Medal winners they will receive €1,000 and €900. 

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Longford town, on 374 marks, improved massively on their 2023 showing and they were announced as second place in County Longford and they were also Gold Medal winners. In 2023, Longford finished 19 marks behind the overall winners - this year the gap was down to 12 marks. 

Incredibly, inside three years, the dedicated Longford Tidy Towns committee has seen their marks increase by 39. They were award 357 marks in 2023 and jumped by 17 marks inside twelve months which represented a massive improvement. As County Second and Gold Medal winners Longford Tidy Towns will receive €800 and €900. 

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Newtowncashel with 371 marks (an increase of 10 on the 361 they secured in 2023) were the County Third place winners and along with Drumlish, on 367 marks, both areas were awarded Bronze Medals. 

National Award Winners in 1980, Newtowncashel as the County Third and Bronze Medalists receive €500 and €400. Drumlish Tidy Towns will also receive €400. 

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Stonepark Tidy Towns were chosen to receive an Endeavour Award and €500. 

Twenty-six areas in Longford took part in the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns, with sixteen of them achieving marks in excess of 300 and five were awarded more than 350 marks - Newtownforbes (352), Drumlish (367), Newtowncashel (371), Longford town (374) and Abbeyshrule (384). 

This year, 904 towns were competing for the prestigious awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958.

Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024. 

“This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork.

“Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism.  This is at the core of what the competition is all about.”

The Minister continued: “As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide.

“I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories. 

“In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of 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.

“Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. 

“The impact of SuperValu TidyTowns can be seen, particularly in fostering inclusion, sustainability and community engagement.”

Ireland's Tidiest Town National Award Winner 2024 Ballincollig (Cork) 386 (Trophy & €10,000)
Ireland’s Tidiest Village 2024 Ballinahown (Westmeath) 385 (Trophy & €5,000)
Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town 2024 Blackrock (Louth) 385 (Trophy & €5,000)
Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town 2024 Westport (Mayo) 385 (Trophy & €5,000)
Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2024 Ballincollig (Cork) 386 (Trophy & €5,000)