Mayo TidyTowns groups celebrate national success at 2026 awards
Balla wins three national awards, while Newport, Westport, Castlebar and Belmullet also receive recognition at the SuperValu TidyTowns ceremony
Mayo TidyTowns groups have secured a series of national awards at the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns competition, with Balla among the county’s biggest successes after receiving three major accolades.
Balla TidyTowns was named the national winner of the Greenways and Active Travel Award, the Sustainable Development Goals Award for the Village/Small Town category, and the Climate Action Award for villages and small towns.
The results were announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary at the annual awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin on Friday, October 23.
Newport TidyTowns also received national recognition, winning the Dark Sky Ireland Award, while Balla’s success added to a strong showing by Mayo communities across a range of categories.
The 2026 competition attracted a record 936 entries from towns and villages across Ireland, reflecting the continuing commitment of communities and volunteers to improving their local areas.
Among the Mayo results, Westport achieved first place in the county’s Category E, with 411 marks and a Gold Medal. Castlebar placed second in Category F with 408 marks and a Gold Medal, while Ballina also received a Gold Medal after scoring 397 marks.
Belmullet earned a Gold Medal in Category C with 400 marks, while Balla received a Bronze Medal in the same category with 390 marks.
Mulranny was awarded third place and a Gold Medal in Category B, scoring 407 marks. Cong received a Silver Medal with 400 marks, while Louisburgh scored 372 marks.
Newport, which scored 356 marks, was among the other Mayo communities recognised in Category B, alongside several villages and towns across the county.
The awards highlight the work carried out by local volunteers throughout the year to improve public spaces, protect biodiversity, promote sustainability and strengthen community life.
Minister Calleary congratulated the national winners and praised the dedication of TidyTowns volunteers, noting that Ballinahown in Co. Westmeath had been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026.
The minister said the competition continued to demonstrate the importance of resilience, innovation, sustainability and community spirit, with 936 entries representing the highest number in the competition’s history.
SuperValu has sponsored the competition since 1991, working with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support communities across the country.
The latest results underline the contribution of Mayo’s TidyTowns groups, whose work continues to improve local environments and make towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit.