Tulla looking its best for summer season

Pic from John K

TULLA has been transformed in recent months by a dedicated team of Tidy Towns volunteers as well as the efforts of individual residents and businesses. 

The latest project to be unveiled is the renovation of a boat close to St Mochulla’s National School and the Gort Road junction. “That involved us working with students from St Joseph’s Secondary School who were joining in as part of their work towards the Gaisce Awards,” explained Tim Humphries, Chairperson of Tulla Tidy Towns. “When the students get involved, we really want to give them a good experience and to have activities other than just litter-picking. Their parents also helped out and it was great to see students coming back in their own time to make sure the work got done. Over the course of around a month, they got the work done and it was laborious enough with paint scraping, undercoats and top coats. That area is a busy one with picnic benches where cycling groups often stop to eat, so it’s very visible and it’s great that it is now looking so good.” The area has also been getting an overhaul with the support of Clare Walks and this is one of a number of projects underway around Tulla. A project to create a mural opposite the old pipe band hall is also in the pipeline and eagerly anticipated. 

In recent weeks and months, Tulla Tidy Towns has received huge support from local organisations, including the Scouts, the schools, and the business community in the town.

“There is a big push on,” said Tim. “We have people from all kinds of groups, as well as individual residents and businesses getting out and boosting the appearance and amenities of the town. We have been able to initiative projects with organisations like An Taisce and Clare County Council and the signs are on it, because Tulla is looking very well. In 2021, we got the Community Support Scheme for Town and Village Paint Works. The area around Lower Main Street had been highlighted and the scheme has meant that 11 properties were done. A number of other properties were painted by their owners and there has been a real improvement in that part of town.”

Drawing down funding support is one part of the work of Tidy Towns, the other is getting volunteers out on the ground and there is no shortage of support. “We have a Tidy Towns Committee of five volunteers,” Tim outlined, “but we have around 30 names on a WhatsApp Jobs Group, so there is great support and huge credit is due to so many people. When people see one project working out, it really inspires community spirit and then others come on board. It’s not easy work, it can be time-consuming, but the results are well worth it.”

Promoting the work of Tulla Tidy Towns on its social platforms has also developed a national network of voluntary organisations. “It is really important to showcase what people are doing,” said Tim. “Our follows on social media include Tidy Towns groups in places as far away as Bantry, Granard and Wicklow, so we must be doing something right.”