Editorial: Community spirit shines in Kilkenny
The Kilkenny City Beautiful awards night celebrated the great work done by residents, community groups and local businesses to keep the area tidy and attractive, with three areas in the county retaining their gold status in the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns
Residents, community groups and local businesses in Kilkenny City were celebrated this week for all the great work they have done over the past year to help keep Kilkenny beautiful.
The KKB awards night is always a wonderful event, highlighting some of the fantastic work being done in private gardens, housing estates, and in the presentation of local businesses. Some great categories involve things like best floral displays, shopfront signage, and environmental initiatives.
The awards come as three areas in the county retained their gold status in the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns competition – Kilkenny, Tullahought and Inistioge.
Clean, tidy and attractive towns and villages do not happen by accident; they are the result of care, consideration and a willingness to take responsibility for the places we live in.
Litter on streets, discarded packaging, overflowing bins and neglected public spaces can quickly take away from the beauty of an area. And keeping a place beautiful is not solely the responsibility of local authorities – it is a responsibility we all share.
This is where volunteerism plays such an important role. Across communities, volunteers give their time and energy to make a real difference. Whether they are organising a local clean-up, picking litter from roadside verges, maintaining flower beds or tidying a village green, their efforts help create places in which people can take pride. Litter picking, in particular, is a simple but powerful act of community service.
Nights like the KKB awards are a timely reminder of the great work being done, and a good way to acknowledge the many people who give of their time to help keep the show on the road.
County finals
Well done to all our county final winners after many great weekends of sporting action.
Dicksboro and Emeralds (camogie) have given their communities a great cause for celebration. Well done also to Shamrocks Ballyhale after their hugely impressive win over Tullaroan on Sunday, and to Conahy and James Stephens on their successes.