Blackrock is Ireland's Tidiest Small Town

The seaside town of Blackrock in Louth is officially Ireland's Tidiest Small Town, having been declared the winner at this year's SuperValu TidyTowns award ceremony in Croke Park this morning.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, declared the winners of this year's competition, in front of over 600 TidyTowns volunteers, with many more watching the event online in a live stream. The event saw Ballincollig in Co Cork winning the overall award for Ireland's Tidiest Town.

Blackrock picked up a total of 385 marks out of a maximum 550 marks, up from 374 marks last year. In the Adjudication Report for Blackrock, the adjudicators said that: The overall appearance of Blackrock is impressive with a nicely presented built environment and a well-managed natural environment catering for a wide range of activities whilst protecting and promoting the natural environment and its biodiversity."

Included in the report were the marks awarded in eight different categories, along with some comments on each in relation to Blackrock. Among the comments made on Tidiness and Litter Control, the category in which it received 72 out of a possible 90 marks, it said that: "Participation in the National Spring Clean together with the Coast Watch Beach initiative and maintenance of Walking Trails cannot be praised enough, it is a credit to all involved.

"A special thank you is extended to the Junior Tidy Towns Committee and the input of both schools. Regular litter patrols are effective as is the Tidy Towns van for litter picking related work. The Dog-Fouling project is noteworthy for its effectiveness, well done on this difficult issue. No litter or dog-fouling was noted during Blackrock’s adjudication which is a fine achievement for such a busy village hosting so many visitors.

"Again, this year the question arises of whether litter is on the increase or decrease, the source and type of litter and if it is segregated for recycling? The ‘Take Three for The Sea’ initiative is praiseworthy as is your zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized posters, it is good to note your partnership approach with the council on this issue. Some dereliction and / or buildings in need of refurbishment was noted but did not present a major problem in the overall presentation of the village."

More to follow.