Abbeyleix Wins 2023 Tidiest Town In Ireland

The event was live-streamed to thousands online.

A midlands town is the tidiest in Ireland.

Abbeyleix in Laois has gotten the nod for this year's Tidiest Town, beating competition from nearly 900 other entrants for the award.

There's more good news for the region, as Geashill in Offaly was named Ireland's Tidiest Village.

Killarney in Kerry is the Tidiest Large Town, while Cork's Ballincolig will claim the title of Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin with the event live-streamed to thousands more online.

Presenter Mary Kennedy read out the Tidy Towns Judges' comments moments before the Laois town was announced as the winner:

"Delighted is an understatement" says the Chairman of Ireland's Tidiest Town Committee. 

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Chairperson, Robbie Quinn says a lot of time and commitment was put into it:

These people in Abbeyleix were full of praise for their town and the committee:

Marks for County Laois:

Category A

• Ballacolla - Baile Cholla 355
• Emo - Ioma 341
• Clough - An Clogh 335
• Cullohill - An Chúlchoill 328
• Killasmeestia - Coill O Smoistigh 306
• Camross - Camros 302
• Spink - Spinc 280
• Pike of Rushall - An Paidhc 259

Category B

• Durrow - Darú 361
• Castletown - Baile an Chaisleáin 346
• Clonaslee - Cluain Na Slí 338
• Borris-in-Ossory - Buiríos Mór Osraí 319
• Errill - Eiréil 306 Ballinakill - Baile na Coille 255
• Endeavour Award Killeshin - Cill Uisean 220

Category C

• Abbeyleix - Mainistir Laoise 376
• Stradbally - An Sráidbhaile 330
• Mountrath - Maighean Reatha 318

Category D

• Mountmellick - Móinteach Mílic 307

Category G

• Portlaoise - Port Laoise 356 

Marks for County Offaly:

Category A

• Horseleap - Baile Átha an Urchairl 274

Category B

• Geashill - Géisil 375
• Clonbullogue - Cluain Bolg 363
• Ballycumber - Béal Átha Chomair 350
• Crinkill - Críonchoill 333
• Rhode - Ród 323
• Moneygall - Mhuíne Ghaill 318
• Pullough - Pollach 315
• Kinnitty - Ceann Eitigh 308
• Shinrone - Suí an Róin 308
• Ballyboy - Baile Buí 304
• Killeigh - Cill Aichidh 277
• Kilcormac - Cill Chormaic 224

Category C

• Ferbane - An Féar Bán 332
• Daingean - An Daingean 327
• Banagher - Beannchar na Sionna 325
• Belmont - An Lios Dearg 298

Category D

• Birr - Biorra 361
• Clara - Clóirtheach 252

Category E

• Edenderry - Éadon Doire 321

Category F

• Tullamore - Tullach Mhór 362 

Marks for County Westmeath:

Category A

• Rosemount - Baile an Bhric Óig 329
• Raharney - Ráth Áirne 328
• Ballinahown - Buaile na hAbhann 371
• Milltownpass - Bealach Bhaile an Mhuilinn 321
• Endeavour Award Tubberclair - Tobar Chláir 316
• Ballinagore - Baile na nGabhar 308
• Drumcree - Droim Cria 302
• Crookedwood - Tigh Munna 293
• Loughnavalley - Lochán an Bhealaigh 285
• Finea - Fiodh an Átha 278
• Ballinalack - Átha na Leac 272
• Dysart - An Díseart 249
• Category B
• Tyrrellspass - Bealach an Tirialaigh 364
• Streamstown - Baile an tSrutháin 348
• Multyfarnham - Muilte Farannáin 341
• Glasson - Glasán 334
• Collinstown - Baile na gCailleach 331
• Ballynacargy - Baile na Carraige 326
• Tang - An Teanga 321
• Castledaly - Caisleán Uí Dhálaigh 317
• Ballymore - An Baile Mór 302
• Mount Temple - An Grianán 291
• Clonmellon - Cluain Maoláin 273
• Delvin - Dealbhna 259
• Baylin - Béal Linne 256

Category C

• Kilbeggan - Cill Bheagáin 323
• Castlepollard - Baile na gCros 338
• Rochfortbridge - Droichead Chaisléan Loiste 315

Category D

• Kinnegad - Cionn Átha Gad 301

Category G

• Athlone - Baile Átha Luain 361
• Mullingar - An Muilleann gCearr 339 

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys says:

"I offer my warmest congratulations to Abbeyleix and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2023. 

This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Abbeyleix and indeed the wider county of Laois.

Having first entered the competition in 1960, Abbeyleix today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism.  This is at the core of what the competition is all about.

As always, the standard of competition was extremely high this year in all categories, with 887 entries received overall.

I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories. 

In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of TidyTowns volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit. You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities."

Ian Allen, Managing Director of SuperValu says:

"On behalf of SuperValu, I would like to congratulate Abbeyleix on becoming Ireland’s Tidiest Town. 

This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the committee and team of volunteers involved in the town. 

Since the inception of SuperValu’s valued partnership with TidyTowns, the competition has grown significantly and meaningfully. 

There are now over 1,000 active committees backed by a powerful movement of almost 30,000 volunteers all of whom are highly committed to enhancing their towns and villages all around the country. 

As a community retailer, it is a source of great pride for us at SuperValu to be involved in such an incredible initiative. 

For more than three decades, our teams and dedicated local SuperValu retailers have worked hand in hand with the Department of Rural and Community Development to develop and grow the SuperValu TidyTowns competition. 

The competition has become a powerful and uniting force, bringing together people from communities all over the country, working towards a common cause, and, critically, caring for our environment."