'A special moment of immense pride': Ballincollig named Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2024

Ballincollig has been named as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2024 at the prestigious annual TidyTowns awards today.

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

This year, 904 towns were competing in the awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958.

Ballincollig was named as Ireland’s Tidiest Town as well as Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Ballyphehane Tidy Towns was also recognised for youth engagement, being awarded the Young Person’s Award during this year’s awards.

"I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024," Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys said today.

"This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork.

"Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig 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.”

Ms Humphreys paid tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories, adding:

"In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of 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."

Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to the work of TidyTowns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit.

Speaking after the awards, managing director of SuperValu Luke Hanlon, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ballincollig on being crowned Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2024 – "an outstanding achievement that reflects the tireless dedication and hard work of the committee and volunteers," he said.

"This award is a true testament to what can happen when individuals within a community come together with ion and commitment to make their towns and villages better places to live, work, and play. 

"At SuperValu, we take immense pride in the communities we serve, and it's fantastic to see that same pride shining through the efforts of TidyTowns committees across the country," he added. 

Commenting on Ballincollig's win, the Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Dan Boyle said: 

“We are all so proud of Ballincollig and all the Tidy Towns volunteers who have worked so hard over the years to make it one of the most attractive spots to live and work in Cork. 

“The teams have done fantastic work around greening, fostering biodiversity and are trailblazers in of community climate action and protecting local heritage.

“Cork City Council works well with the Ballincollig Tidy Towns team and everyone in City Hall believes the award is so deserved after years of dedication by the people who live there”.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Carroll also warmly congratulated the volunteers and tidy towns champions from County Cork for their success at this year’s Supervalu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin.

A total of 26 medals were awarded to towns and villages in County Cork with special awards given to Bere Island and Sherkin Island. Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association was also named the National Winner of the Waters and Communities Award.

“I would like to express my thanks to all the volunteers in towns and villages across County Cork who give up their time to make their local areas more vibrant, beautiful, and inviting places to live, work and visit," Mr Carroll said. 

“A massive well done to the winners, you truly are champions, are an inspiration to us all and can be very proud of what you have achieved. 

“I would also to congratulate our neighbours Ballincollig who were named the overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Town at the special ceremony in Croke Park.”