Winners of Louth in Bloom awards 2023 announced

Louth County Council hosted the second ‘in-person’ Louth in Bloom awards ceremony at Bellingham Castle last Monday (23rd October).

The event was hosted by the Community Section at Louth County Council, and showcased the exceptional efforts of local communities in enhancing the natural beauty of County Louth.

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the evening, emphasising the significant impact of community-led initiatives on the county's wellbeing.

She remarked: "Well done and congratulations to all the entrants for their unwavering dedication.

“We understand the profound influence of the environment we reside in on our overall well-being.

“Through your diligent efforts, be it in tending to your gardens or crafting delightful floral displays, you've left an indelible mark on your local surroundings and the broader Louth community. Rest assured, the impact of your work should not be underestimated."

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Fishy Dishy, Carlingford. Pic: Fishy Dishy Facebook

This year, the event featured an esteemed guest speaker, Ms. Éanna Ní Lamhna, an environmentalist, author and native of County Louth.

Her insights and wisdom added a valuable dimension to the ceremony, underscoring the importance of community involvement in environmental preservation, biodiversity and sustainability.

Winners were selected, per district, in each of the eight categories which included housing estates, best gardens, hospitality, business premises, biodiversity, and sustainable innovation.

The ceremony acknowledged the remarkable accomplishments in these diverse categories, with the respective Cathaoirleach from each Municipal and Borough District unveiling the winners, while Ms. Ní Lamhna presented the awards.

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly, then announced the overall County Winners in each of the eight categories before the evening concluded with Chief Executive, Ms. Joan Martin, announcing the outstanding contribution award to Ms. Helen Byrne from Dundalk Tidy Towns for her unwavering commitment to the town of Dundalk and the wider community.

Willow Grove, Dundalk won the best Category B estate in the county. Pic: Arthur Kinahan

Ms. Martin congratulated all the prize winners, warmly praising all those who took part in the Louth in Bloom 2023 competition, saying:

"This event stands out as a highlight in the Council's annual calendar. She emphasised her “deep admiration for the dedicated individuals across the county who put in significant effort to preserve and elevate the charm of their towns and villages.

“It's one of the driving factors behind Louth's consistent success in the National Tidy Towns competition each year”, she concluded.

Dundalk Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District, Councillor Sean Kelly announced the winners in the Dundalk area.

The Estate prizes were awarded to the following small (Category A), medium (Category B) and large estates (Category C):

Category A- 1st St. Oliver’s Park, Carlingford, 2nd Priorland Grove, Dundalk and 3rd The Bungalows, Lis na Dara, Dundalk.
Category B- 1st Willow Grove, Dundalk, 2nd Pearse Park, Dundalk and 3rd Clos Na Manach, Carlingford.
Category C- 1st Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, 2nd Manydown Close, Dundalk and 3rd Lis Na Dara, Dundalk.

Ms. Róisín Cotter won first place in the Best Garden category for her striking and vibrant garden at Carrickarnan, Dundalk.

Other prize winning garden awards went to Mr. John Conachy, Greenacres, Dundalk and Ms. Ann Fennelly, Elm Park, Blackrock.

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Fishy Dishy, Carlingford with Quinn’s Funeral Home on Bridge Street, Dundalk winning the Best Presented Business Premises category, particularly impressing the judges with their beautiful floral displays and hanging baskets.

The Best Biodiversity Initiative award went to the Pumping Station Fairy Garden, Mc Entee Ave/Pearse Park, Dundalk and the Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative went to the Pearse Park Medicinal Dog Garden.

Ardee Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District, Councillor Dolores Minogue announced the winners in the Ardee area.

The Estate prizes were awarded to the following small (Category A), medium (Category B) and large estates (Category C):

Category A- 1st An Rian, Annagassan, 2nd Glyde Road Cottages, Tallanstown and 3rd Papal Drive, Collon
Category B- 1st Ferdia Park, Ardee, 2nd Cappocksgate, Ardee and 3rd Beechwood Drive, Dunleer
Category C- 1st Sliabh Breagh, Ardee.

Ms. Margaret Thompson and Mr. Peadar Thompson won first place in the Best Garden category for their beautiful garden in Coole, Ardee. Other prize winning garden awards went to Mr. Roderick Rooney, Old Dawsons Demesne, Ardee and Mr. Martin Keelan, Collon.

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Darver Castle, Readypenny and the Best Presented Business Premises award went to Larry Hand & Sons, Main Street, Dunleer.

The Best Biodiversity Initiative award went to Tallanstown Tidy Towns for Maguire Park Community Garden and Ardee Tidy Towns scooped the award for Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative for their Polytunnel & Rainwater harvesting project.

Overall County Winners

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly announced the Overall Winners as follows:
Estates: Harmony Heights, Drogheda (Cat A- less than 50 Houses), Willow Grove, Dundalk (Cat B- 51-125 Houses) and Wheaton Hall, Drogheda (Cat C over 125 houses).

Best Garden: Róisín Cotter, Carrickarnon, Dundalk
Best Biodiversity Initiative: Tallanstown Tidy Towns, Maguire Park Community Garden
Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative: Ardee Tidy Towns, Polytunnel & Rainwater Harvesting
Best Presented Business Premises: Quinns Funeral Home, Dundalk
Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Nelly's, Drogheda