Tidy Towns (Irish: Bailte Slachtmhara) is an annual competition, first held in 1958, organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in order to honour the tidiest and most attractive cities, towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland. The competition is organised on a national basis, and entrants must complete modules including Overall Developmental Approach (5 Year Plan), The Built Environment, Landscaping, Wildlife & Natural Amenities, Litter Control, Tidiness, Waste Minimisation, Residential Areas, Roads and Streets & Back Areas.
The Competition is judged during the summer months (May to August) by an independent adjudicator, who issues each town with a written report complimenting positive development and actions and providing positive suggestions on how the community can improve their general surroundings.
This competition covers many aspects of environment and prizes are awarded to winners of all areas. Other than that, there's an overall winner which is named as "Ireland's Tidiest Town" which is announced at the end of competition every September.
The 2020 competition was cancelled by Minister Michael Ring due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland for the first time in its history.
Winners
YearOverall winnerVillageSmall TownLarge TownLarge Urban Centre1958GlentiesNot awardedNot awardedNot awardedNot awarded1959Glenties (2)1960Glenties (3)1961Rathvilly1962Glenties (4)1963Rathvilly (2)1964Virginia, County Cavan1965Virginia, County Cavan (2)1966Ballyjamesduff1967Ballyjamesduff (2)1968Rathvilly (3)1969Tyrrellspass1970Malin1971Ballyconnell1972Trim1973Kiltegan1974Ballyconnell (2) & Trim (2)1975Kilsheelan1976Adare1977Multyfarnham1978Glaslough1979Kilsheelan (2)1980Newtowncashel1981Mountshannon1982Dunmanway1983Terryglass1984Trim 1985Kilkenny1986Kinsale1987Sneem1988Carlingford1989Ardagh, County Longford1990Malahide1991Malin (2)1992Ardmore, County Waterford1993Keadue1994Galbally, County Limerick1995Glenties (5)1996Ardagh, County Longford (2)1997Terryglass (2)1998Ardagh, County Longford (3)1999Clonakilty2000Kenmare2001Westport2002Castletown, County LaoisCastletown, County LaoisLismore, County WaterfordEnnis2003Keadue (2)KeadueKenmareWestport2004Lismore, County WaterfordMoynaltyLismore, County WaterfordWestport2005EnnisMoynaltyLismore, County WaterfordEnnis2006Westport (2)BirdhillAughrim, County WicklowWestportEnnis2007Aughrim, County WicklowBirdhillAughrim, County WicklowKillarneyLetterkenny2008Westport (3)BirdhillKenmareWestportEnnis2009EmlyEmlyAughrim, County WicklowWestportEnnis2010TallanstownTallanstownLismore, County WaterfordKillarneyKilkenny2011KillarneyEmlyLismore, County WaterfordKillarneyKilkenny2012AbbeyshruleAbbeyshruleClonakiltyWestportEnnis2013MoynaltyMoynaltyKenmareKillarneyEnnis2014Kilkenny (2)ClonegalKilrushWestportKilkenny2015LetterkennyClonegalListowelWestportLetterkenny2016SkerriesBirdhillListowelSkerriesEnnis2017 BirdhillBirdhillClonakiltyWestportEnnis2018Listowel GlasloughListowelWestportBallincollig2019.Glaslough (2)GlasloughBlackrock, County LouthWestportEnnis2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland2021Ennis (2)GeashillAbbeyleixCobhEnnis2022Trim (4)RosscarberyClonakiltyTrimEnnis2023AbbeyleixGeashillAbbeyleixKillarneyBallincollig2024BallincolligBallinahownBlackrockWestportBallincollig2025Carrick-on-ShannonRosscarberyCarrick-on-ShannonDalkeyTralee
Summary map
References
External links Tidy Towns website The Tidy Towns of Ireland "Celebrating 50 years" Donnybrook Tidy Towns Website