More than 25 communities across the County were honoured at the 2012 Community Environmental Awards ceremony, which was hosted by Clare County Council on Monday evening (8 October, 2012).
Ballynacally Development Group was named overall winner of the ‘Clare In Bloom’ competition, while Cappa Lodge in Sixmilebridge claimed the top prize in the ‘Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition 2012’.
Addressing the large gathering in the Council Chamber at Áras Contae an Chláir, Mayor Pat Daly acknowledged the work being undertaken within Clare communities to enhance the living environment.
He said: “There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this County as is evidenced by the significant public interest in these two awards schemes.” The Mayor also thanked the three sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Awards; ESB Moneypoint, Roche Ireland and Shannon Development, for their continued support.”
Tom Coughlan, County Manager referenced the challenging times that the country and the Council is facing. He stated: “Even though we are experiencing difficult times as a Council, I think it is vital to support communities and that is why we continue to stage these awards. It is our way of thanking community groups and individuals for the valuable work they carry out. Their work not only has a positive impact on their localities, but has a real benefit in terms of the economy and particularly in terms of tourism in County Clare.”
Mr. Coughlan also highlighted the importance of the tourism initiative ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ and acknowledged the significant role that community groups will play in the initiative by enhancing their visual appearance of their local areas.
34 groups participated in this year’s Clare in Bloom Awards, a competition targeted at groups who are actively involved in the improvement and enhancement of their areas.
The Mayor’s Environmental Award was presented to Kildysart Tidy Towns, while the Overall Winner of Clare in Bloom 2012 was Ballynacally Development Group. Kilrush TidyTowns took 1st place in Category 1 of the competition while Newmarket-on-Fergus secured 2nd place, and Scarriff Community Council and Lisdoonvarna Community Council came joint 3rd. St. Mary’s Community Development Lissycasey came 1st in Category 2, followed by Kilmihil TidyTowns and Quin TidyTowns in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Tuamgraney Development Association took the overall prize in Category 3, followed by Ruan TidyTowns and Bridgetown Development Association in 2nd and Barefield TidyTowns in 3rd.
Meanwhile, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the Housing Social & Cultural SPC presented the awards for the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition 2012.
The overall winner of this year’s competition was Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge which was awarded an engraved limestone plaque, a cheque for €600 and the Mary Hennessy Memorial Award. Individual awards were also presented to Derryvinna, Clonlara (Best New Entrant); Church Drive/Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle (Most Improved Estate); Riverview, Tuamgraney (Judges Special Award); and Connaught Rd, Scarriff (Best Youth Involvement).
Best Kept Estate Award Winners 2012
Category 1 (1-30 Houses)
Lower Main St., Tulla - 1st
St. Josephs Rd., Ballyvaughan - 2nd
Bishops Murphy Park, Parteen - 3rd
Lackyle, Whitegate, Whitegate - Highly Commended
Cluain Chormaic, Kildysart - Highly Commended
An t-Aonach, Kilfenora - Highly Commended
Finnuremore Park, Mullagh - Highly Commended
Category 2 (31-50 Houses)
Connaught Rd., Scariff - 1st
Riverview, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare - Joint 2nd
Station Road, Lahinch, Co. Clare - Joint 2nd
Millstream, Killaloe - 3rd
Derryvinna, Clonlara - Highly Commended
Clarehill, Clarecastle - Commended
Lus na Si, Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay - Commended
Category 3 (50+ Houses)
Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge - 1st
Ballard Road, Miltown Malbay - 2nd
Marian Estate, Kilkee - 3rd
Church Drive / Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle - Highly Commended
Councillor Patricia McCarthy commended the residents in each of the estates for their achievements, which involved the enhancement of the appearance and presentation of dwellings and open spaces within their estates. She said: “We cannot underestimate the value and contribution being made by the residents associations throughout the county. We must also acknowledge the difficult financial climate which these groups are working within, and these awards are recognition of their continued commitment”.
“I am delighted to see that the Council is continuing to pledge its commitment to implementing an Estate Management Strategy to improve the appearance of estates and indeed, the quality of life of the residents within their estates. This Strategy is very much dependant on involvement of residents so much so that it will not be successful without their co-operation and involvement,” added Councillor McCarthy.
For further information on the Clare in Bloom Awards, please contact the Tourism & Community Development Department, Clare County Council Tel No 065 6846428, email ncullinan@clarecoco.ie. For details regarding the Best Kept Local Authority Estates competition please contact the Estate Management Unit, Housing, Cultural & Emergency Services Directorate, Clare County Council; Tel No. 065 6846225/550 or email anagle@clarecoco.ie.
Ballynacally Development Group was named overall winner of the ‘Clare In Bloom’ competition, while Cappa Lodge in Sixmilebridge claimed the top prize in the ‘Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition 2012’.
Addressing the large gathering in the Council Chamber at Áras Contae an Chláir, Mayor Pat Daly acknowledged the work being undertaken within Clare communities to enhance the living environment.
He said: “There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this County as is evidenced by the significant public interest in these two awards schemes.” The Mayor also thanked the three sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Awards; ESB Moneypoint, Roche Ireland and Shannon Development, for their continued support.”
Tom Coughlan, County Manager referenced the challenging times that the country and the Council is facing. He stated: “Even though we are experiencing difficult times as a Council, I think it is vital to support communities and that is why we continue to stage these awards. It is our way of thanking community groups and individuals for the valuable work they carry out. Their work not only has a positive impact on their localities, but has a real benefit in terms of the economy and particularly in terms of tourism in County Clare.”
Mr. Coughlan also highlighted the importance of the tourism initiative ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ and acknowledged the significant role that community groups will play in the initiative by enhancing their visual appearance of their local areas.
34 groups participated in this year’s Clare in Bloom Awards, a competition targeted at groups who are actively involved in the improvement and enhancement of their areas.
The Mayor’s Environmental Award was presented to Kildysart Tidy Towns, while the Overall Winner of Clare in Bloom 2012 was Ballynacally Development Group. Kilrush TidyTowns took 1st place in Category 1 of the competition while Newmarket-on-Fergus secured 2nd place, and Scarriff Community Council and Lisdoonvarna Community Council came joint 3rd. St. Mary’s Community Development Lissycasey came 1st in Category 2, followed by Kilmihil TidyTowns and Quin TidyTowns in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Tuamgraney Development Association took the overall prize in Category 3, followed by Ruan TidyTowns and Bridgetown Development Association in 2nd and Barefield TidyTowns in 3rd.
Meanwhile, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the Housing Social & Cultural SPC presented the awards for the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition 2012.
The overall winner of this year’s competition was Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge which was awarded an engraved limestone plaque, a cheque for €600 and the Mary Hennessy Memorial Award. Individual awards were also presented to Derryvinna, Clonlara (Best New Entrant); Church Drive/Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle (Most Improved Estate); Riverview, Tuamgraney (Judges Special Award); and Connaught Rd, Scarriff (Best Youth Involvement).
Best Kept Estate Award Winners 2012
Category 1 (1-30 Houses)
Lower Main St., Tulla - 1st
St. Josephs Rd., Ballyvaughan - 2nd
Bishops Murphy Park, Parteen - 3rd
Lackyle, Whitegate, Whitegate - Highly Commended
Cluain Chormaic, Kildysart - Highly Commended
An t-Aonach, Kilfenora - Highly Commended
Finnuremore Park, Mullagh - Highly Commended
Category 2 (31-50 Houses)
Connaught Rd., Scariff - 1st
Riverview, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare - Joint 2nd
Station Road, Lahinch, Co. Clare - Joint 2nd
Millstream, Killaloe - 3rd
Derryvinna, Clonlara - Highly Commended
Clarehill, Clarecastle - Commended
Lus na Si, Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay - Commended
Category 3 (50+ Houses)
Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge - 1st
Ballard Road, Miltown Malbay - 2nd
Marian Estate, Kilkee - 3rd
Church Drive / Aonach an Chláir, Clarecastle - Highly Commended
Councillor Patricia McCarthy commended the residents in each of the estates for their achievements, which involved the enhancement of the appearance and presentation of dwellings and open spaces within their estates. She said: “We cannot underestimate the value and contribution being made by the residents associations throughout the county. We must also acknowledge the difficult financial climate which these groups are working within, and these awards are recognition of their continued commitment”.
“I am delighted to see that the Council is continuing to pledge its commitment to implementing an Estate Management Strategy to improve the appearance of estates and indeed, the quality of life of the residents within their estates. This Strategy is very much dependant on involvement of residents so much so that it will not be successful without their co-operation and involvement,” added Councillor McCarthy.
For further information on the Clare in Bloom Awards, please contact the Tourism & Community Development Department, Clare County Council Tel No 065 6846428, email ncullinan@clarecoco.ie. For details regarding the Best Kept Local Authority Estates competition please contact the Estate Management Unit, Housing, Cultural & Emergency Services Directorate, Clare County Council; Tel No. 065 6846225/550 or email anagle@clarecoco.ie.
