Westport was named Ireland's tidiest large town on Monday at the annual national TidyTowns Awards ceremony which was held in the Helix in Dublin. In total, Westport scored 322 marks, just one behind the overall winner Letterkenny. There were other award wins for Westport on the day, with Nicoal Sammon winning a Junior Community Hero award and the Edible Landscape Project in the town winning the Sustainable Development Award.
Nicola Sammon of Westport TidyTowns committee was highly commended with a SuperValu Junior Community Hero Award. Nicola, who was nominated by fellow Westport TidyTowns committee members and local Westport SuperValu store manager Liam Campion, was recognised for her unwavering commitment to enhancing the town. A TidyTowns member since 2011, Nicola is responsible for setting up the first junior SuperValu TidyTowns committee in Westport. Hardworking, cheerful and determined, she has been hailed as epitomising everything that is good about Westport TidyTowns.
The SuperValu Community Hero awards celebrate the efforts of 10 SuperValu Community Heroes across Ireland who act as exemplary members of their community. This year for the first time three Junior Heroes were commended for their outstanding contribution to their local area.
Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, congratulated Westport on being named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town in the 2015 Tidy Towns Awards. “I was delighted to learn that Westport has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town in the 2015 Tidy Towns Awards," he said. "This award is richly deserved following the endless work and dedication involved in keeping Westport tidy. I wish to take this opportunity to highly commend the chairperson of Westport Tidy Towns, Ms Rhona Chambers, the committee itself, and the large number of volunteers.”
Minister Ring continued: “I also want to compliment Mr Martin Keating, the indoor and outdoor staff of the council, and everyone involved. The people of Westport take huge pride in the appearance of the town and it is wonderful to see their work in this regard being rewarded.”
Belmullet was also recognised at the awards, winning a gold medal in their category having being awarded 319 points by the judges, and the Gaeltacht award. There was a sliver medal for Castlebar and bronze medals for Murrisk and Ballina in their respective categories. Knock won an Endeavour award, seeing its marks jump up by almost five per cent from last year.
Minister Ring also complimented Belmullet on winning a gold medal, and the Edible Landscape Project in Westport for its wins, saying: “I wish to compliment Belmullet and all their hard work in their quest for honours in the 2015 Tidy Towns Awards Annual event. The volunteers do a tremendous amount of work and for this I congratulate them. It is clear to see their hard work has paid off. I also wish to congratulate Paula Halpin and Caithriona McCarthy and all involved in the Edible Landscape Project in Westport on winning the Sustainable Development Award. It really is a great achievement and I wish them continued success.”
