Doing it all for the love of the town

THE people of Ennis certainly proved their love for the town with the ongoing success of the county capital in the national Tidy Towns competition.

 

The commitment and dedication of so many people throughout Ennis was further recognised recently at the Ennis Tidy Towns Local Awards ceremony.

The event saw awards presented to school children, businesses and residents who have played their part to make Ennis a tidier place. This year’s theme for the local effort was Our town, Love it and according to Ennis Tidy Towns chairperson Áine Purcell that is exactly what people did.

“There has been such a fantastic response from so many people throughout Ennis, it’s been amazing. So many people got involved that when it came to the awards ceremony the civic building was so full that everybody couldn’t get in. Everyone really came on board with the theme,” she said.

This year saw the school competitions extended to include poetry, essays and photography as well as the usual painting and drawing competition.

“It was great this year to see so many teenagers get involved in the competitions, showcasing their talent along with spreading the message of loving our town,” said Áine.
Prizes were presented by acting mayor Councillor Mary Coote Ryan, town manager Ger Dollard, town clerk Leonard Cleary and Padraig Guerin local restauranteur.

In the school’s essay competition the overall winner was Claire Hanrahan, Colaiste Muire. She also won the persuasive essay competition. The photography prize was jointly awarded to Rang Na hIdir bhliana Gael Scoil na hInse and Amber O’Sullivan. The art competition for first and second class students was won by Martin Maughan and the overall winner in the poetry competition was Katie Coll.

In the category of green areas, the overall winner was Garran na Coille. The results for private housing estates with less than 40 houses were: 1. Meadow Court; 2. Inis Carraig houses 29 to 55; 3. Carraig Dubh. Private houses with 41 plus houses: 1. Garran na Coille; 2. An tSean Dun; 3. Woodhaven. Local authority estates with less than 40 houses: 1. Dalcassian Avenue; 2. Stonecourt; 3. Dalcassian Park. Local authority estates with 41 plus were: 1. Clancy Park; 2. Drumbiggle Road Lower.

In the approach roads category, Clonroad/Francis Street was awarded first place, New Road came second and third went to St Flannan’s Terrace.

In the garden competition the overall winner was John O’Halloran from Cahercalla. A special award was presented to Anne McCullough in recognition of the maintenance work being done at the Garden of Remembrance in Cloughleigh.

In the large garden category Eileen Corry, HazelGrove, Tulla Road; Hisham Horie, Bridgecourt, Roslevan and Gerry Sexton, Druninamore, Loughville were recognised.

In the medium garden category Maura Coffey, Clancy Park; Gerry Keane, St Martins, Limerick Road; Mary Quinn, Golf Links Road; Robert Moorhead, Ashfield Park, Gort Road; Stephen and Peggy Malone, Dalcassian Park and Mary Callinan, Childers Road were congratulated.

The winners in the small garden category were: Teresa Lynch, Clancy Park; Josephine O’Brien, Bridgeview, Roslevan; Nuala Collins, St Flannan’s Terrace; John and Josephine Lavin, The Crescent; Maria and Brendan Madigan, Friars Close, Clonroad; Agusta O’Brien, Castlelawn and Rebecca Hogan, Glenoir, St Senan’s Road.

A large number of local businesses were also honoured at the awards ceremony for their efforts in making their premises look as good as possible.

Overall winner in the business floral display category went to the Gift Venue. Public buildings, the Ennis Garda Station, Ennis CBS Primary, Ennis Cathedral, the Friary and the County Library were also recipients of awards.

While recognising the fantastic efforts of so many people in Ennis this year, Áine also encouraged them to continue the good work.

“We are asking people to give their town just one hour and come and help us make Ennis a tidier place. I want to acknowledge so many people’s continuing support and it is down to them that we have such a good success rate with the tidy towns. I also want to acknowledge Ennis Town Council for their continuing support and assistance.”