The annual Galway City Tidy Towns Garden Competition results have been announced, illustrating the great range of green spaces that abound across the city.
The competition is organised by Galway City Council on an annual basis to recognise the efforts of residents, commercial organisations and public buildings to maintain and enhance the appearance of their gardens, estates, and public areas and add to biodiversity in the city. This past year has seen an even greater appreciation for outdoor spaces and the quality of entries certainly reflected this.
The overall winner of the Front Garden Competition was Mervue’s Pat McPhilbin. The Best First Time entrant was Margaret Pearl Hession with Betty O’Flaherty taking the prize for the Best Floral Display category. John Connaughton won the Best Front Lawn category and Maria Kim Brown won Best Apartment.
Oaklands Residents Association was awarded the Best Residential Area, under 50 houses. Fort Lorenzo Residents Association was awarded Best Residential Area (50-200 houses ) and Highfield Park Residents Association was recognised as the Best Residential Area with 200 houses or more.
Scoil Chroí Íosa scooped the overall winner in the schools category. Cuan na Gaillimhe, Steiner won the Eco School Garden category, and St. Patrick’s National School, Lombard Street won the Best Floral Display.
Best Eco front garden was won by Aileen Ward, while Woodfield Residents Association won Best Eco estate. In the community category, Merlin Neighbourhood Residents won the Community Group Project. St. James Church, Bushy Park came first in the Best Church/Place of worship. Teach na Coiribe were the winners in the Registered Guest Houses/ B&B category. Western Motors took the Garage Category and Bank of Ireland, Eyre Square won the Best Commercial/retail category.
The competition judge had this to say of the overall winning garden, Pat McPhilbin from Mervue:
“This enchanting mature garden on a large corner site is a wonder. While the evergreens marking the boundary are gradually becoming more prominent, the gardener’s work is still presented proudly for all in the community to enjoy. This gardener demonstrates dedication, awareness and talent with regard to design principles, creativity and gardening know-how.”
Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway City Council commented, “In line with Galway City Council’s objectives in the Biodiversity Action Plan and the National Pollinator Plan, gardeners were asked to enhance their gardens and green spaces for wildlife and pollinating bees, birds and insects. Well done to all the 2021 entrants, they certainly have done this and created a little bit of magic in their corners of Galway City. ’’
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, Galway City Council will not hold an awards ceremony this year. All winners have been notified and will be presented with their prizes in the coming weeks.
Full List of Winners
Fewer than 50 Houses Winner – Oaklands Residents Association
50-200 Houses Winner – Fort Lorenzo
200 Houses or more Winner – Highfield Park Residents Association
Apartments Winner – Maria Kim Brown
Community Group Project – Merlin Neighbourhood Residents
Schools Best Garden – Scoil Chroí Íosa
Schools Best Floral Display – St. Patricks National School
Eco School Garden – Cuan na Gaillimhe CNS- Steiner
Eco Front Garden – Aideen Ward
Eco Estate- Woodfield Residents Association
Garages/Filling Stations – Western Motors
Best Commercial/retail- Bank of Ireland, Eyre Square
Best Church/Place of worship- St. James Church, Bushy Park
Industial Estates and Premises- Brian Spellman
Best window boxes/ floral display – Betty O’Flaherty
Overall Front Garden Winner – Pat McPhilbin
Best Lawn – John Connaughton
Registered Guest House B&B – Teach na Coiribe
Best New Entrant – Margaret Pearl Hession
Residential Area Winners:
Bushypark/Dangan/Circular Road: Area 1st –Michael Duffy; Area 2nd –Ann Dillon, Area 3rd –Tina McHugh
Castlegar/ Menlo: Area 1st – Mary Boyle ; Area 2nd – Maureen Spellman
Headford Road: Area 1st – Michael Grealish; Area 2nd – Mary and Sean Hynes
City Centre/ Bohermore: Area 1st – Nicholas and Brid Burke; Area 2nd – Tom and Phyllis Broderick; Area 3rd – Betty O’Flaherty
Mervue: Area 1st – Pat McPhilbin; Area 2nd – John Connaughton; Area 3rd – Seamus King
Renmore/ Murrough: Area 1st –Margaret Pearl Hession ; Area 2nd – Patricia Ryan; Area 3rd –Maureen Nolan
Salthill: Area 1st – Annamarie O’Brien, Area 2nd– Gerry Murray; Area 3rd –Carmel Mahoney
Knocknacarra – Area 1st Tracy Boland–; Area 2nd– Aideen Ward; Area 3rd – Grainne Burke
Taylor’s Hill – Area 1st Anne Quinn-; Area 2nd– Frank McHugh; Area 3rd – James Boland
Shantalla – Area 1st – Ursula and Kevin Lally; Area 2nd– Kevin Rice
Newcastle – Area 1st– Eileen Fair; Area 2nd –Margaret Gouyet; Area 3rd – Conor Grennan
Ballybane – Area 1st–Bernie Molloy; Area 2nd –Rachel Lynch; Area 3rd –Noel and Mary Boyle
Claddagh – Area 1st– Nichola Dalrymple; Area 2nd – Noel Coyne; Area 3rd – Richard Burke
