Top marks for Tuamgraney

THE annual results of Clare in Bloom were announced this week with East Clare village Tuamgraney taking the overall award for their effort this year, while top category prizes went to Kilrush, Kildysart and Bridgetown.

Communities across the county who participated in the Clare in Bloom competition were honoured as part of the Housing, Social and Cultural Services Directorate Awards at a ceremony in Aras Contae an Chláir in Ennis earlier this week.
The Clare in Bloom competition, which is organised by Clare County Council, in association with ESB Moneypoint, Shannon Development and Roche Ireland, is a motivational mechanism for local groups in villages and towns in Clare to enhance the visual impact of their localities by means of flower, tree and shrub planting schemes. Entry categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category of €1,000, €400 and €200 respectively. This year’s competition also attracted marks for litter control, waste prevention and energy initiatives.
Taking first place in category one was Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, followed by Quin Development Committee in second and Lisdoonvarna Community Council in third place.
The category two, the winners were Kildysart Tidy Towns, followed by Kilmihil Tidy Towns in second and Whitegate Community Council in third.
In category three, Bridgetown Tidy Towns took first place, Labasheeda Community Pride came second and Ballyvaughan came third.
Special Endeavour Awards went to Shannon Tidy Towns, Meitheal Doora, Kilmurry McMahon Community Group, Killanena Action Group and Carrigaholt Tidy Towns.
The Mayor’s Environmental Award, together with the perpetual trophy for 2010 and a cheque for €1,000, was awarded to Ballynacally Development Association.
Taking the top prize on the night of €1,500 was Tuamgraney Development Association.
Tuamgraney has had many successes with this local competition and speaking about their win this year, secretary of the development association, Mary Cassidy said, “We put in a huge effort this year and we were helped with the road upgrade carried out by the county council. We put a real push on to improve Reddan’s Quay and the issue of derelict buildings were moved on a little bit.”
She stated that although the winter had hampered some of the association’s efforts with some failures in shrubbery at the memorial park, the committee were able to claw back with their flower pots and bedding on the approach roads to the village.
“We put in new bedding areas along the road to Reddan’s Quay and re-grassed some of the grassy areas on that road. The community college in Scariff also did a sculpture from recycled material, which was put in at Reddan’s Quay, which we were delighted with. More than that, people did their own bit with window boxes, painting their premises and putting out hanging baskets. People in the area get on board every year and we work very well with the community and they help us through an annual collection, which helps us with the work. Without that and fundraising we couldn’t continue,” she said.
Ms Cassidy explained that the prize money will be added to funds received through the Tidy Towns competition this year and will be used to further enhance the village by developing the woodland park and adding three new wildflower areas on the Bodyke and Killaloe approach roads and at Croaghrum River.
The association has already sprung to action for next year’s Tidy Towns and Clare in Bloom competitions and will be holding their first meeting at Tuamgraney National School at 7.30pm on Monday for those interested in getting involved.