Both Ennis and Kilrush came agonisingly close to winning the national title in the National Tidy Towns competitions, the results of which were announced today (Monday).
Ennis (321) and Kilrush (320) have both been awarded Gold Medals, finishing just 2 and 3 marks respectively off the overall competition winner, Letterkenny (323).
Mountshannon won Silver and there were Bronze Medals for Ballynacally, Kilkee, Tuamgraney and Quin. Clarecastle won an Endeavour Award, while Ennis, Kilrush and Mountshannon claimed the County Awards.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, James Breen said, “Regardless of whether or not they have received an award in the national competition, each of Clare’s other Tidy Towns participants are already winners for the huge positive contribution they have made to their localities.”
Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Josephine Cotter Coughlan, stated, “We are delighted with our result this year and to have achieved an increase of seven marks on our 2014 score. The fact that Ennis finished just two points behind the overall winner is a fantastic achievement for everyone concerned.”
Murt Collins, vice-chairperson of Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, said the Gold Medal award serves as a “significant boost” for the town following on from its success in the International Entente Florale competition last week.
County Clare results:
Ballynacally 312
Ballyvaughan 306
Barefield 248
Bodyke 232
Boston 201
Bridgetown 273
Bunratty 231
Carrigaholt 259
Clarecastle 282
Connolly 247
Cooraclare 265
Corofin 277
Cranny 272
Doolin 206
Doonbeg 296
Ennis 321
Ennistymon 271
Feakle 252
Kildysart 288
Kilkee 307
Kilkishen 208
Killimer 272
Kilmihil 271
Kilmurry 200
Kilrush 320
Labasheeda 297
Lissycasey 282
Miltown Malbay 231
Mountshannon 315
Mullagh 237
Newmarket-on-Fergus 292
O’Brien’s Bridge 219
O’Callaghan’s Mills 236
Quin 306
Ruan 299
Scariff 259
Shannon 291
Sixmilebridge 295
Tuamgraney 309
Tulla 262
Whitegate 245
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.