Portlaoise’s Pride Of Place Shines During Judge’s Visit

Portlaoise Tidy Towns showcased the hard work that has transformed the town into a greener and more sustainable town.

Pride of Place judges were welcomed to Laois’ county town yesterday.

Portlaoise Tidy Towns showcased the vision, dedication and hard work that has transformed Portlaoise into a greener and more sustainable town.

This year, Laois County Council has selected Portlaoise to represent the county in the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Competition following the success of Timahoe Male Choir which won its category in 2025.

Portlaoise Tidy Towns Group is nominated in the climate action and biodiversity category.

The group is a community-led organisation that plays a vital role in enhancing the town’s environment while promoting sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity. The group delivers projects that improve public spaces and help create a cleaner and greener town.

Climate action is embedded in many of its initiatives, including tree planting, pollinator-friendly planting schemes, litter reduction campaigns, habitat restoration, and support for active travel and environmental awareness.

Vincent Booth, chairperson of Portlaoise Tidy Towns spoke of the preparation for the day. He said: “We have been working hard to make sure that Portlaoise is shown off at its very best to the Pride of Place judges. Over many years, a variety of programmes and initiatives have led to a blooming town with biodiversity at its heart. Today is an opportunity to showcase this and we hope national recognition for our town will follow.”

The visit began with a comprehensive presentation at Portlaoise Library by Tidy Towns’ representatives Vincent Booth (Chair), Gerry Browne and Margaret Fingleton which detailed the climate action and biodiversity actions and initiatives that are in place in Portlaoise including the ‘A Town in a Garden’ and the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town concepts which inform each climate friendly step taken in the town.

Attendees including volunteers, community groups, local organisations, Laois County Council staff, elected members and Oireachtas members.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council welcomed the judges. She spoke of her pride in doing so. She said: “As a Portlaoise Councillor I am so proud of this community and it was my honour to welcome the Judges to Portlaoise today to show them our beautiful town and the showcase the hard work and community spirit that make Portlaoise an attractive place to live, work and visit.”

Also detailed in the presentation was Portlaoise’s meadow and verge management programme, Portlaoise Tidy Towns Biodiversity Action Plan, the roundabout strategy, nature-based solutions, ‘greening the grey’ by creating green walls, compact urban regeneration, awareness and education, work by local schools, businesses and Portlaoise Climate Alliance, recycling initiatives, water stations, bike library, cycle training zone, the Portlaoise bus service and the Play Way.

The power of collaboration was highlighted between Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Laois County Council through both the Municipal District Office and the Portlaoise Town Team, as well as collaboration with businesses, schools, community groups, volunteers, elected officials and Portlaoise residents.

Speaking after the presentation, one of the judges John Briggs spoke on behalf of himself and his fellow judge. He congratulated Portlaoise Tidy Towns on everything they have done. He said: “You have made our job very hard today. The connection between Laois County Council and Portlaoise Tidy Towns is wonderful. This has been a great presentation, and it is a great project.”

After the presentation, the judges were taken on a walking tour around the town which included the parklet, Swift box and mural, the Convent lands, Fitzmaurice place for a look at the heritage elements to Portlaoise’s story, Linear Park, the rainwater gardens, memorial park and Burial ridge, the Triogue River and People’s Park where the judges cycled bolt bikes back to County Hall. The tour was finished with a heritage talk at St. Peter’s graveyard.

Contributors throughout the tour included Simon Walton, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Michael Parsons from Laois Heritage Society, Michael Buckley, Executive Engineer and horticulture expert, Portlaoise Tidy Towns volunteers, Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer, Michele Castiauz, Green Schools co-ordinator with An Taisce, Thomas Carolan, Heritage Officer and Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action co-ordinator.

 The tour finished at An Dún outdoor space where the Malva Ukrainian Choir and a range of community organisations including People First Credit Union, Laois Tourism, Laois PPN, Connect Laois and more greeted the judges for music, celebration and a community barbecue.
The judges were particularly struck with the warm welcome they received in Portlaoise and the clear collaboration that exists within the community.

Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council said: “I acknowledge and commend the level of dedication shown by Portlaoise Tidy Towns, alongside our team at Laois County Council, in showcasing the very best of Portlaoise today. No stone was left unturned in the preparation of an excellent presentation, engaging walking tour, and celebratory gathering with the community. Pride of Place is all about the partnership between the local authority and the local community. We look forward to continuing this partnership, and we wish Portlaoise Tidy Towns the very best of luck in the competition.”

Clough Village is also nominated in this year’s Pride of Place competition and will welcome the judges later this month.

IPB Pride of Place in association with Co-operation Ireland is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland. The competition's focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities.