Clare community endeavour rewarded

Connaught Road in Scariff has been named Best Kept Local Authority Estate and Ballynacally Tidy Towns the overall winner of the Clare In Bloom competition, in 2014 Clare County Council’s Community Awards.

The Mayor’s Environmental Award went to Mountshannon Community Council, Clare’s four Pride of Place participants were also honoured for their involvement in the all-island competition. Clarecastle Community Development Ltd., Clarisford Ltd., Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd., and Tuamgraney Community Woodland will be hoping to emulate the success of other local community groups in previous years at the Pride of Place ceremony in Ennis on November 15.

Speaking at Áras Contae an Chláir, cathaoirleach, John Crowe acknowledged the work being undertaken within Clare communities to enhance the living environment.

“There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this county as is evidenced by the interest in these awards. I also want to thank the adjudicators and the two sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Competition; ESB Moneypoint and Roche Ireland for their continued support,” he added.

Clare County Council CEO, Tom Coughlin said, “Even though we are experiencing difficult times as a council, I think it is vital to support communities and that is why we continue to stage these awards. It is our way of acknowledging that the work local communities carry out not only has a positive impact on their localities, but has a real benefit in terms of the economy and particularly in terms of tourism in County Clare.