Fingal shines in Tidy Towns awards

FINGAL County Council has congratulated local Tidy Towns committees on their success in this year’s awards, which were announced last week.

The SuperValu Tidy Towns competition is now entering its seventh decade and Glaslough, in County Monaghan, was the overall winner from a record number of 918 entries to the competition this year. 

Skerries, which won the National Award in 2016, took the county title again this year, as well as a gold medal. The seaside town received 338 points in the F Category (population between 10,000 and 15,000) which is five points more than last year. 

Malahide again received a gold medal with 327 points in the G category (population between 15,000 and 25,000). 

Swords was awarded a silver medal in Category H, with 323 points, and Lusk received a bronze medal with 316 points in Category E (population between 5,001 and 10,000). 

All the dedicated committees across Fingal were rewarded for their efforts by gaining more points than in 2018, with The Naul gaining 15 points and Castleknock returning to the competition this year.

Rush increased its points from 278 to 286, while Balbriggan was up from 291 to 296. Portmarnock came in at 245 points, a rise of six points from 2018. 

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, commended the county’s Tidy Towns committees.

“It is wonderful to see the work of the hardworking Tidy Towns committees in Fingal being recognised with these awards,” he said. “On my visits to various parts of the county as mayor, I have seen the fruits of their efforts in enhancing the appearance of their areas as well as having a positive effect on the environment and fostering community spirit.”

Fingal County Council’s interim chief executive, AnnMarie Farrelly, stated: “The efforts of the Tidy Towns Committees across the county are hugely valued, as they work to make Fingal a better place to live, work or visit.”

Fingal County Council’s Director of Operations, David Storey, added: “This year’s Tidy Towns awards reflect the continuous efforts and dedication of all the committees across Fingal. I’m delighted to see that once again their commitment and hard work has been acknowledged.”

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) congratulated all the local Tidy Towns groups and thanked them for their hard work.

 “I am particularly delighted for my good friends in Swords Tidy Towns who retained their silver medal status, increasing their points total by six from 317 to 323,” Cllr Butler said.