A jubilant crowd welcomed home the Tidy Towns committee at the Wyatt Hotel, Westport on Tuesday evening after the town notched up an impressive victory at the annual Tidy Towns Awards which were held at a gala dinner on Monday night in Dublin. Not alone did the town scoop a hat-trick this decade (2001, 2006 and 2008 ) in being credited with being the tidiest town in Ireland, but they also received six other awards—Ireland's Tidiest Large Town, gold medal, regional award for the recycle initiative, the Le Gaeilge award, and a regional and county medal—with the win being even sweeter this year as it is the 50th anniversary of the Tidy Towns competition.
Cathaoirleach of Westport Councillor Martin Keane told attendees at the celebratory function that the “past 24 hours have been magical” with the Tidy Towns achievements now having a prominent place in the history of the town which future generations of Covies should be proud of. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Cllr Joe Mellett said that the “people of Westport are a credit to the county” and that other towns in Mayo should follow the town’s example. Cllr Mellett said that he was particularly impressed with the Le Gaeilge award, as the promotion of the Irish language throughout the county is something he is striving to achieve during his term as Cathaoirleach.
Tidy Towns committee member Ms Eithne Larkin, who accepted the award in Dublin, said that it was a “privilege to accept the prize on behalf of the people of Westport” and that partnership among the Tidy Towns committee, volunteers, town council, the indoor/outdoor staff, town foreman, Mayo County Council, FAS, the Western Regional Fisheries, schools, gardaí, local chamber of commerce and sponsors, all being contributory to their win. Ms Larkin also paid tribute to her predecessors who worked hard in developing the Tidy Towns committee and ended her speech by saying that “to be the best out of 712 towns in Ireland is no mean feat”.
Town Manager Peter Hynes remarked that it was an “incredible occasion” for Westport with the magnitude of the achievement being “phenomenal”. Mr Hynes commended Bridie Moran, Lily Cunningham, Elsie Higgens and Eithne Larkin for their hard endeavours as well as the areas of Murrisk, Aughagower, Belmullet and Ballina who were also recognised by the Tidy Towns. Mr Hynes thanked everyone “who strives to make Westport what it is”, saying that it is “your trophy, your night, your success” as no one will ever know whose contribution made the difference in that one point which secured Westport’s win.
The Town Manager said the win was the lift the town needed in light of the less busy than usual tourist season and he thanked the providers of funding—on a national level Super Valu, local sponsors co-ordinated by the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Westport electoral area and town council who continue to set aside money for this endeavour.
Local TDs have also passed on their congratulations to Westport. Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny said that “the sense of pride of place that they have fostered is the critical element here”. Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony paid tribute to “a wonderful example of a community working together for a common goal”; local Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn said that “not only has the work of the Tidy Towns Committee seen the town propelled into the national headlines for all the right reasons three times in recent years, it has also resulted in a more pleasant experience for all the tourists who visit the town during the year” and Westport-based Fine Gael Deputy Michael Ring, Spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, congratulated the town for winning the award which showed the “wonderful community spirit in Westport”.
