The winning entries in the Galway City Tidy Towns and Garden competition have been announced. Mary Crowe from Ballagh was deemed to have the finest front garden in the overall category while Pat McPhibin, 41 Emmet Avenue, scooped the prize in the same distinction but for front garden in a city council estate.
Kenneth Long, 29 Forster Court outshone the competition in the best window boxes/floral display to secure the winner’s title, and the blue ribbon in the Best Lawns division was awarded to Frank and Kai Burke, 11 St Mary’s Road.
Glenina Heights was declared the best residential area, 20 - 50 houses, and Carragh Hill was given similar praise for having the best residential area with 50 - 200 houses. The same recognition was awarded to Claddagh in the plus 200 houses category. Grattan Park was selected as the residential area which boasts the best kept gardens and public open spaces. Spires Garden was awarded best flower/shrub beds in a residential area.
It was decided that Christ the King Church in Salthill was the winner of the best church contest. Best registered guest house was confirmed to belong to Dolores Bane of 14 Woodhaven. Winners in the Public and Commercial Buildings category included the City Hall, Ardilaun Hotel, Lazlo Jewellers, Coral Haven Nursing Home and GBC. The results of the best school garden category and the best community group project are due to be disclosed next week.
Sharon Carroll, Environment Education Officer, Galway City Council has issued a statement to compliment all the entrants for their attempts to enrich the image of the local area. “Many people don’t realise the amount of work carried out, on a voluntary basis, throughout Galway City to maintain and enhance the appearance of residential areas and estates. She added, “It is important that, through initiatives such as the Tidy Towns and Garden Competition, this work can be acknowledged and rewarded”.
It is essential that the interest generated by this competition continues to thrive if the maintenance and appearance of the city’s landscape is to sustain a degree of excellence. Galway City Council appreciates all those who participated and would encourage more businesses to submit themselves for examination next year. More information is available from Sharon Carroll, Galway City Council, e-mail [email protected]
