2023 was another very successful year for the Tidy Towns Committees across the Nenagh Municipal District. In total 26 towns, villages or communities in the Nenagh Municipal District entered the competition this year and the results were truly outstanding.
All centres showed an increase in the marks awarded with Ballinahinch, Ballinderry and Rathcabbin showing a whopping additional 19 marks each this year. Nenagh Town, Ballina-Boher and Riverstown-Killeen received an additional 17 marks and no centre received less than an increase of 7 marks. The three top achievers this year were Terryglass (first in Tipperary North and silver medal), Birdhill (highly commended and bronze medal) and Silvermines (commended and bronze medal).
Each entrant is assessed under eight criteria with a total of 550 marks available as follows :
| Community – Your Planning and Involvement | 80 |
| Streetscape & Public Places | 80 |
| Green Spaces and Landscaping | 80 |
| Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality | 55 |
| Sustainability – Doing more with less | 55 |
| Tidiness and Litter Control | 90 |
| Residential Streets & Housing Areas | 55 |
| Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes | 55 |
Centres in the Nenagh Municipal District received the following marks for 2023:
Category A – population less than 200
Terryglass 370 Ballinderry 311
Birdhill 363 Kilcommon 311
Killoscully 351 Toor 310
Lorrha 348 Capparoe 305
Ballingarry 328 Ballycommon 303
Carrig 326 Shallee 281
Ballinahinch 316 Ardcroney 279
Rearcross 313 Dromineer 271
Aglish 232
Category B – population 201 - 1000
Rathcabbin 261
Riverstown-Killeen 300
Puckane 323
Cloughjordan 333
Portroe 347
Silvermines 361
Category C – population 1001 – 2500
Newport 301
Category D – population 2501 – 5000
Ballina 347
Category E – population 5001 – 10000
Nenagh 353
Paying tribute to the strong spirit of volunteerism across the District, the Cathaoirleach of Nenagh MD, Cllr. John ‘Rocky’ McGrath said “each year we see continuous improvement across the District with communities working together to make their areas better places to live, work and visit. It is truly astounding the work that is being done by volunteers. This inspires and motivates others to do likewise”.
Marcus O’ Connor, Director of Services with responsibility for the Nenagh Municipal District said that the Tidy Towns competition has evolved and is no longer only about litter picking and planting. It is now an important component in the efforts of communities to meet environmental challenges in areas such as sustainability and biodiversity. The combined effect of the measures undertaken by communities will help us all in achieving our environmental goals.
Each entrant received a copy of the Adjudication Report which sets out the comments of the Judge who assessed the location under each of the headings. Nenagh Town retained its bronze medal – first awarded in 2015. The Adjudication Report in respect of Nenagh Town commented favourably on a number of items including the proposals in relation to The Rialto, the public realm, the shopfronts, the grounds of the Civic Offices and the John’s Lane car park of which, the adjudicator said “this is excellent and a standard that other local authorities should look to for car parking in similar towns”. He/she also said that the mural projects were an excellent use of wall space in wise locations and that the Town Park was just gorgeous – he/she loved the bike rack, the sandy paths (beautiful for running on), the playground, the raised exploration areas, the pollinator-friendly planting and the developing trees.
While there are many challenges facing the Committees and a never-ending need for vigilance in relation to litter, this is a time to celebrate all the positive results that have been achieved and to say well done to all!
