Hot off the back of The Irish Times announcement that Westport has been named as The Best Place to Live in Ireland, 24-hours later the town was awarded with an all-Ireland title as the Best Kept Large Town at the Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition ; the awards of which were held in Belfast.
Speaking following the awards ceremony at the town council’s AGM this week, out-going Cathaoirleach, Councillor Christy Hyland said that it has been “one of the finest weeks for Westport”. The councillor said that it is far from “doom and gloom” in Westport but is in fact “boom and bloom”.
Town manager Martin Keating said that The Irish Times award, with Westport winning against 500 other entrants, “is the most important recognition the town has to date as we didn’t nominate ourselves”, and joked that if Carlsberg did towns it would probably be called Westport!
John O’Callaghan who nominated Westport for award is to be recognised by the town council in the coming weeks, and The Irish Times is to also to host a celebration party in Westport to mark the achievement.
Welcoming the award, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring stated: “What stands out in Westport is the vibrant community spirit, people working together and putting the town first. Westport people also have a great welcome to visitors when they come into the town.”
Apart from these two awards, the town also hosted extremely successful Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts last weekend, which took place on the grounds of Westport House. The Gaelscoil, located on the Golf Course Road, was also officially opened on Monday.
The town manager said “the town has not, and never will, rest on its laurels and there is still work for us to do”, but these great accolades “will allow the town to move forward with a new confidence and optimism”.
