Carlow people have done their county proud in keeping their premises, housing estates, and homes clean and pretty for this year’s ‘Pride of Place’ competition.
St Mullins won the overall 2008 ‘ county carlow pride of place’ title and was presented with the top award last week.
Councillor Denis Foley, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, along with Cllr Tommy O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow Town Council and Cllr Arthur McDonald, Cathaoirleach of Muinebheag Town Council presented over one hundred awards to burial ground committees, schools, youth groups, businesses, residents’ groups and communities at Carlow’s Pride of Place Awards Night in the Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge last Wednesday evening.
Patsy Coady, Rathvilly, and Gretta Roberts, Myshall, won the individual awards. The Michael Deering Cup was presented to Rathvilly Tidy Towns Committee. Ballinkillen National School won the award for top school in the county, and Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc took the award for top school in Carlow town. The Ogra award went to Carlow Regional Youth Services.
The ‘litter-free school’ title was awarded to Ballinabranna NS; ‘schools’ environmental award’ went to Carrigduff NS; and ‘schools’ community’ award-winner was Borris NS.
Carlow & District Credit Union won the ‘business award’ and the Cairdeas Centre in Tullow got the ‘single issue’ prize. Rathanna was awarded the ‘heritage award’. The ‘environment award’ went to Beam, Bagenalstown and the ‘natural heritage award’ was presented to Clonegal. ‘Community development awards’ went to Myshall, Fenagh, Clonmore and Tinnahinch.
Wells Burial Ground won the award for ‘burial grounds which are in use’ and Holy Cross Burial Ground won the award for ‘burial grounds not in current use’. The Long Range, Muinebheag received the ‘cathaoirleach’s award’ – with other awards also going to The Harrow Cross, Ballon, Nurney, Kildavin, Old Leighlin Picnic Area, Rathanna Burial Ground and Drumphea Burial Ground.
St Mullins won ‘flora pride’ category A, Rathvilly won category B, Leighlinbridge category C and Bagenalstown category D. Station Road took the top award for ‘floral pride’ in the Borris Electoral Area with Maple Lawns, Ballon, getting the honour in the Tullow Electoral Area.
Hillbrook Estate won the ‘floral pride award’ for Tullow Housing Estates and Molaise Estate took the title in the Muinebheag Electoral Area as well as Maple Drive, Bagenalstown who won the Bagenalstown housing estates category.
Askea Lawns won the ‘2008 floral pride’ title for large housing estates in Carlow town with Roncalli Place taking the title for small estates.
Town Council Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom O’Neill formally launched the 2008-09 ‘Litter-action league’. Speakers on the night included Councillor Michael Deering, Eileen Doyle, Chairperson of Carlow Community & Voluntary Forum and County Manager Tom Barry. Master of Ceremonies was Jannette O’Brien of the Community & Enterprise Section of the Council.
