Hard work of the Blackrock Tidy Towns volunteers finally paid off

BLACKROCK Tidy Towns recently acknowledged the contribution of local residents and business people at the ‘Beautiful Blackrock Awards night held in the Fairways Hotel. This annual event was made even more special by the fact that the village took its first National medal this year and the committee were eager to thank everyone who had helped them achieve their goal.

New awards this year included ‘Most Improved Housing Estate’, ‘Best presented Public Building’, and ‘Blackrock Environmentalist of the Year’. The latter was won by Eileen Carter for her work over the years in conjunction with Tidy Towns, work in her own Housing Estate (Mariner’s Court), but especially her work on developing the Biodiversity Garden and the Intergenerational Garden in Blackrock Park.

Other winners were as follows: Best Hanging Baskets / Window Boxes - Winner: Thomas & Cabrini Lambe, 2nd prize: Rosemary McDonnell, 3rd prize: Tom & Deirdre Kenny, Commended: John Watters; Patsy Breen, Twin Cottages, Old Golf Links Road.

Best Small Garden -Winners (joint): Michael Dunleavy; Linda Meehan, 3rd prize (joint): Dermot & Kitty Duffy; Donal Lynch Snr. Best Garden - Winners (joint): Diane Arthur; Frank & Ann Holmes, 3rd prize (joint): Anne Fennelly; Noel & Peggy Prendergast, Commended: Aidan & Eimear McGrath; Aine & Jim Murphy.

Passion for Gardening Award - Thomas & Cabrini Lambe. Best Presented Commercial Premises - Winner: The Brake, 2nd place: The Bayview Inn, 3rd place (joint): The Black Wok; The Neptune, Commended: Greengates B&B

Best Presented Public Building - Winner: St. Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Most Improved: The Community Centre

Best Presented Housing Estates - Winner: Rock Court, 2nd Place: The Links, 3rd Place: Elm Park. Gold Awards – Earlsfort, Rathmount, Silver Awards, Stamanaran, Mariners Court, Blackrock Cove, Clermont Manor, Cois Farraige, St. Fursey’s Terrace, The Ferns, Beech Park, Marlmount, Sandfield Gardens, The Orchard. Bronze Awards, Ard na Mara, Fane View, Sandy Grove & Sandy Grove Close, Seaford Gardens, The Meadows and Hamilton.