Kildare Tidy Towns round up

Maynooth scooped the title of Tidiest Town in Kildare but how did all the 38 other lilywhite entries fare. 

Here is a round up of the results from around the county. Click on each area to get the adjudicators report.

Naas Tidy Towns committee have said they are “delighted that the town has received another Gold medal in the 2018 National Tidy Towns Awards”.

And with a gain of seven points over 2017, they are now only eight points behind winners Listowel.

With a score of 331, Naas has risen from 324, and taken second place in the county.

It increased its score in all categories of the adjudication, by a single point, except in the ‘Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes’ where they remained the same.

Straffan came third in the county with 330 marks.

Gaining five points this year, the village scored 330. Gains were made in the categories of Community – Your Planning and Involvement, Green Spaces and Landscaping, Tidiness and Litter Control, Residential Streets & Housing Areas, and Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes.

The adjudicator said; “The sense of pride which the residents of Straffan have shown in their local area is very evident as one experiences your village at close quarters. The forward planning, organisation and hard work carried out by your committee over many years has ensured your continued progression in the Tidy Towns Competition.”

Newbridge Tidy Towns was delighted to retain it’s Silver medal, for the sixth year running, and gain nine points for the projects it embarked on during the last year.

Scoring a total of 315 points, the town made gains in every category.

The adjudicator said; “There appears to be a number of positive improvements currently in planning for the town of Newbridge, to be implemented over the next few years. It is good that there is a very committed Tidy Towns Committee in place to guide such developments for the benefit of all the Town’s residents.”

Rathangan also finished on 315 and secured a bronze medal for the town. Gaining four points from last year, the report concluded; “The visit to Rathangan this year was greatly enjoyed. The Town has very good potential to progress further in the Competition and in terms of the further development of it’s wonderful built and natural heritage features. Much needs to be done and we wish you well with your future plans and endeavours.”

Clane increased its marks by seven in this year’s Tidy Town competition. It received 313 points out of 450 in Category E and was tops in that category in the county.

Among other things it was praised by the judges for providing an electric car charging point as part of a Public Realm Plan organised by Kildare County Council. The adjudicator said this will benefit the town significantly in the longer run. The report noted that unoccupied premises are becoming a blight in many towns but there is an increased take up of units with new businesses in Clane.

Abbey Park residents were praised for working with the County Council to install a community compositor to deal with green waste in a sustainable manner.

Kilcullen jumped from 296 to a total of 305.

“It was a pleasure for the adjudicator to visit Kilcullen and there was much to see and enjoy with some welcome surprises. You are wished well with your further deliberations on the Market Square proposals and all your future endeavours for the Town,” said the adjudicator.

Athy Tidy Towns added another six points to its overall mark rising from 279 last year to 285 this year.

The adjudicator said; “Athy has much to offer the visitor and has significant potential to progress well in the competition and to further develop as a Heritage Town. A strong Tidy Towns voice and ongoing commitment to the incremental improvement of the Town over time, will foster greater community spirit and will help guide future initiatives in a sustainable and considered way. You are wished well with your future endeavours.”

Kildare Town Tidy Towns are delighted that they added another 11 points to their overall mark going from 266 last year, to 277 this year.

“The visit to Kildare Town this Summer was a very enjoyable experience. The Town has great potential to progress in the competition. Your Multi-Annual Development Plan is essential in guiding your activities in the coming years and particularly in terms of setting priorities and objectives with an emphasis on making the most of your significant heritage assets and natural features and also dealing with sustainable transport issues and the use of energy and resources,” said the adjudicator.

Monasterevin also made gains, scoring 180 - an increase of nine points on last year, while Celbridge also gained seven points to earn a total of 318.

Allenwood scored 228 (219 last year), Ardclough 319 (310), Ballitore 249 (248), Ballymore Eustace 324 (313) Silver medal, Broadford 319 (316), Calverstown 309 (300), Caragh 243 (235), Carbury 275 (260), Castledermot 270 (262), Coill Dubh 233 (224), Eadestown 269 (264), Johnstown 306 (302), Kilcock 279 (273), Kilkea 275 (270), Kill 329 (320) Silver medal, Kilmead 305 (303), Kilmeague 236 (230), Leixlip 321 (312), Milltown 271 (255), Moone 288 (285), Narraghmore 251 (247), Nurney 267 (261), Prosperous 240 (236), Robertstown 263 (259), Sallins 286 (282), Suncroft 257 (254), and Timolin 289 (279). 

Dep Martin Heydon said; “All groups have delivered visible improvements in our area. Your hard work has made our communities a more vibrant and better place. That is why this competition has flourished for 60 years.

“Congratulations to Newbridge Tidy Towns and Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns who both increased their score and were awarded a Silver Medals, and to Rathangan Tidy Towns who also increased their score and were awarded a Bronze Medal.

“Special congratulations to Milltown Tidy Towns who received the Endeavour Award and to Ballymore Eustace Trout and Anglers Association/Ballymore Eustace Tidy Town who received the Waters and Communities Award."