Ireland’s TidyTowns 2024 – Ballincollig, Cork overall winner

On By Karl

Ballincollig, Co Cork, has won a €10,000 prize after being named Ireland’s Tidiest Town of 2024 on Friday 1 November.

Not only is Ballincollig this year’s Tidiest Town in Ireland, it has also been named the overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Center for 2024.

Irish Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys announced the winners of the Irish Tidy Town Awards on Friday 1 November.

More than 600 TidyTowns volunteers attended the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony in Dublin’s Croke Park on Friday, and the event was livestreamed to many more online.

This year, 904 towns were competing for prestigious awards; This showed continued national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which had been held since 1958.

Congratulations @BallincolligTTCo Cork Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2024. Ballincollig was crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town for the first time, before taking the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Center in 2023 and 2018.#supervalutidytowns24@SuperValuIRL pic.twitter.com/TfFgE15bZL

— TidyTowns Ireland (@TidyTownsIre) November 1, 2024

Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner on Friday, Minister Humphreys said: “My warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all its TidyTowns volunteers for being named Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024.

“This is truly a great achievement and a special moment of great pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider Cork region.

“First taking part in the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig continues today to showcase everything that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This lies at the basis of competition.”

Ireland’s Tidiest Town of 2024…

Ballincollig Co. Cork!!!!

@TidyTownsIre @SuperValuIRL @DeptRCD owner pic.twitter.com/Z2PMMc6PFT

— Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) November 1, 2024

The Minister continued: “As in previous years, the standard of competition in all categories was outstanding this year; A total of 904 applications were received from approximately 1000 active groups across the country.

“Today I would like to recognize all the winners in the various categories.

“In particular, I want to recognize the vital role of volunteers across the country who work hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit.

“You are truly an inspiration and the embodiment of all that is good in our communities.

“Investment in our communities through this fantastic competition delivers long-term rewards for everyone, as demonstrated by the winning groups here today.

“The impact of Supervalu TidyTowns can be especially seen in encouraging inclusion, sustainability, and community engagement.”

Minister Humphreys also announced the allocation of a special fund of €1.5 million to support the ongoing efforts of TidyTowns groups to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit.
Since 2017, the Ministry has provided approximately €11 million in funding to support the activities of these groups.

The Minister said: “The focus on sustainability and biodiversity is particularly impressive and important for all of us. “The funding from my department will help Groups continue their inspiring efforts to transform their communities and the local environment.”

SuperValu TidyTowns Award Winners 2024

Ireland’s Tidiest Village 2024

  • Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath

Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town 2024

Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town 2024

Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Center 2024

Special Award: Tree Project Award

Sponsored by the Irish Tree Council

  • Portlaoise TidyTowns Co Laois

Special Award: Climate Action Award

Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Communications

  • Youth Award: Bettystown TidyTowns Co Meath

  • Second: Castlegregory TidyTowns Co Kerry

  • Village and Small Town: Ballymore Eustace TidyTowns, Co Kildare

  • Large Town and Major Urban Centre: Raheny TidyTowns, Co Dublin

Special Award: Young People at TidyTowns Awards

Sponsored by the Ministry of Rural and Social Development

  • National Winner: Ballyphenane TidyTowns, Co Cork

  • Regional Winners: Balbriggan TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Ballinrobe TidyTowns, Co Mayo; Cahir TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Ballyphenane TidyTowns, Co Cork

Special Prize: City Center First Prize

Sponsored by the Ministry of Rural and Social Development

  • National Winner: Carrickmacross TidyTowns, Co Monaghan

  • 2nd Prize: Carlingford TidyTowns, Co Louth

  • 3rd Prize: Balla TidyTowns, Co Mayo

Special Award: Island Award

Sponsored by the Ministry of Rural and Social Development

  • National Winner: Bere Island, Co Cork

  • Highly Commended: Sherkin Island, Co Cork

Special Award: Gaeltacht Award

Sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

  • National Winner: Beal an Mhuirthead, Co Maigh Eo

  • Highly Commended: Carraig Airt, Co Dún Na nGall

Special Award: Waters and Communities Award

Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Irish Waterways and Local Government Waters Programme.

  • National Winner: Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association, Co Cork

  • Winners: Bettystown TidyTowns, Co Meath; Cuan Beo Environmental CLG, Co Galway; Cahir TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association, Co Cork

  • Highly Commended: Ballinahown Community Development, Co Westmeath; Emyvale TidyTowns, Co Monaghan; Durrow TidyTowns, Co Laois; Castleconnell TidyTowns Co Limerick

Special Award: Leave No Trace Award

Sponsored by Leave No Trace Ireland

  • National Winner: Kilsheelan TidyTowns, Co Tipperary

Special Award: Heritage Award

Sponsored by Heritage Council

  • National Winner: Ardmore TidyTowns, Co Waterford

Special Award: All Ireland Pollinator Scheme – Local Authority Pollinator Award

Supported by Local Government Heritage Offices and Biodiversity Offices across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

  • National Winner: Sneem TidyTowns, Co Kerry

  • Large Town Regional Winners: Raheny Tidy Village Group, Co Dublin; Oranmore TidyTowns, Co Galway; Clonmel TidyTowns, Co Tipperary

  • Small Town: Athboy TidyTowns, Co Meath; Beal an Mhuirthead, Co Maigh Eo; Kilsheelan TidyTowns, Co Tipperary; Sneem TidyTowns, Co Kerry

  • Best Newcomer: Ballymun TidyTowns, Co Dublin

  • Highly Commended Certificate: Ardmore TidyTowns, Co Waterford; Balbriggan TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Buncrana TidyTowns, Co Donegal; Castlegregory Tidy Towns, Co Kerry; Cavan TidyTowns, Co Cavan; Dalkey TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Rathmore TidyTowns, Co Kerry; Tullahought TidyTowns, Co Kilkenny

Special Award: EPA Circular Economy Award

Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency

  • National Winner: Rush TidyTowns Co Dublin

  • Highly Commended: Swords TidyTowns, Co Dublin; Kinvara TidyTowns, Co. Galway

Special Award: Circular Economy Award

  • Sponsored by Munster University of Technology Clean Technology Center

  • Award Winner: Abbey TidyTowns, Co Galway

Special Award: SuperValu School Award

Sponsored by SuperValu

  • Overall Winner: Dunboyne Senior NS, Co Meath

  • Regional Winners: Ballintleva NS Curraghboy, Co Roscommon; Scoil San Isadóir Cashel, Co Tipperary; Holy Family NS Tralee, Co Kerry

Special Award: SuperValu and Asiam Inclusive Communities Award

Sponsored by SuperValu

  • National Winner: Balla Community TidyTowns, Co Mayo

Special Award: Gum Litter Task Force Award

Sponsored by the Gum Litter Working Group (GLT)

  • National Winner: Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society, Co Galway

  • Large Town and Large Urban Center Winner: Sligo TidyTowns, Co Sligo

  • Village and Small Town Category Winner: Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society, Co Galway

Special Award: Bat Conservation Ireland Award

Sponsored by Bat Conservation Ireland

  • Playground Sculpture Winner: Castlegregory TidyTowns, Co Kerry

  • Bat Wall Winner: Sligo TidyTowns, Co Sligo