This year’s SuperValu TidyTowns awards for the South East region were presented today, Thursday 27thNovember, at a prize-giving ceremony in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. SuperValu TidyTowns winners were presented with their awards by Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Evelyn Moynihan, Head of Strategy, SuperValu proud sponsors of the competition. Also joining the Minister on stage was Gary Breen from Fáilte Ireland.
The overall winner for the region is Kilkenny City who have also been named as Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre and crowned the overall winner of Irelands Tidiest Town 2014. A full list of today’s prize-winners is attached.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Minister Kelly said: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity today to acknowledge the efforts of TidyTowns groups across this region, and to pay tribute to the very many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who get involved in this great competition every year. The unselfish effort and the generosity displayed by these volunteers really does make a difference to our communities. The results of their hard work is evident across the region in towns and villages that are better cared for, better places to live and more attractive places to visit. I would like to pay tribute to all the other TidyTowns groups not here today who are also committed to improving their communities year on year and have not yet achieved formal recognition in the competition. All TidyTowns groups take pride in their communities. I would like to congratulate Kilkenny; the overall winner for the South East region as well as all of today’s other prize-winners.”
The Minister also thanked TidyTowns’ main sponsor SuperValu. “I would like to thank SuperValu for their continued sponsorship of this competition. This is SuperValu’s 23rd year of involvement in the competition at local and national level and they have helped this competition to flourish and grow and continue to demonstrate a real commitment to supporting local communities.”
Evelyn Moynihan,Head of Strategy, SuperValu, said: “At SuperValu we believe in the power of local and communities working together for the good of their local area. It is our belief in the importance of taking pride in the community we live in that originally brought SuperValu and Tidy Towns together and has continued to strengthen our partnership over the last 23 years.
Tidy Towns is a natural fit for SuperValu as our network of 223 stores form part of the fabric of towns and villages across Ireland. Our retailers take pride in their community and are committed to supporting projects that will improve their local area.
TidyTowns is a real demonstration of the work done locally by countless volunteers, who undertake to foster community spirit and help to build vibrant local communities for the present and future generations to follow.
I am delighted to congratulate all the 2014 winners and in particular, the overall winner – Kilkenny. These awards are a real acknowledgement to the endearing commitment and true dedication of TidyTowns committees in the South East region.”
Interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been stronger than ever in recent years and for the fourth year running over 800 communities entered the competition, with 849 participating this year. The competition has been running since 1958 and is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The competition has been sponsored by SuperValu since 1992.
A list of all the prize-winners for the South East region is attached.