Louth In Bloom Awards celebrate community excellence

Louth County Council proudly hosted the sixth annual Louth In Bloom Awards at the picturesque Bellingham Castle, honouring the outstanding contributions of individuals and communities dedicated to enhancing the natural beauty of County Louth.

Organised by the Community Section of Louth County Council, the event brought together passionate volunteers, Tidy Towns groups, business sector representatives, and environmental advocates, all united by a shared commitment to community pride and environmental enhancement.

The evening was opened by Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Sean Kelly, who commended the entrants for their dedication and impact.

“Well done and congratulations to all the entrants for their unwavering dedication,” said Councillor Kelly.

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

"Through your diligent efforts, be it, tending to your gardens or crafting beautiful floral displays, you've left an indelible mark on your local communities and on the county.”

Some of the top awards included Pauline and Tom Lannigan Beech Park, Blackrock who were county winners of the Best Town Garden award; Best Biodiversity/Sustainable Initiative/project was won by Blackrock Park Grow Zone and Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Project was awarded to Omeath Tidy Towns, Circular Economies Initiatives.

Best Presented Business Premises in the Dundalk Municipal District went to Dundalk Dog Rescue, while both Priorland Grove and Willow Grove estates in Dundalk won top prizes.

Sarks Pub in Louth Village won the Best Presented Hospitality Premises award in the Ardee Municipal District; and Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Initiative went to Dunleer Tidy Towns for their Garden of Remembrance.

A highlight of the evening was a keynote address by Ms. Éanna Ní Lamhna, renowned environmentalist, author, and proud native of County Louth. Her inspiring words emphasised the importance of biodiversity, sustainability, and active community involvement in protecting and enhancing the local environment.

Awards were presented across eight categories, including:
Best Housing Estate
Best Garden (Town and Rural Areas)
Best Hospitality Premises
Best Business Premises
Best Biodiversity/Sustainable Initiative
Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Project

Winners were announced per district, with presentations made by the respective Cathaoirleach from each Municipal and Borough District. Ms. Ní Lamhna had the honour of presenting the awards to the deserving recipients.

The evening culminated with the announcement of the Overall County Winners in each category by Councillor Kelly, followed by a special moment as Chief Executive David Conway presented the inaugural Éanna Ní Lamhna Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Ms. Eileen Carter of Blackrock Tidy Towns. Her tireless work in Blackrock, particularly in the park and wider community, was met with heartfelt applause.

“This event stands out as a highlight in the Council's annual calendar,” said Mr. Conway.

“I have deep admiration for the dedicated volunteers 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. Congratulations to all the entrants.”

Also announced during the ceremony were the Slí Ghlas an Lú Awards, a new initiative aimed specifically at Tidy Towns groups to celebrate local climate action and sustainability projects.

These awards highlight the innovative work being carried out by Tidy Towns groups across Louth in support of environmental resilience.

Participating groups submitted projects under the following categories:
Sustainable Food Initiative/Project
Sustainable Community Environment/Biodiversity Initiative/Project
Sustainable Energy Initiative/Project
Sustainable Recycling Initiative/Project
Litter Management Initiative/Project

Prizes were awarded to the highest-scoring project in each category. Most entrants received Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards based on their final scores.

New signage reflecting these awards will be erected in towns and villages across the county in the coming weeks.

Dundalk Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District, Councillor Robert Nash announced the winners in the Dundalk area.
Estate Awards were presented in two categories:

Category A (Estates with fewer than 50 houses):
1st Place: Priorland Grove, Dundalk
2nd Place: Carrol Mead, Dundalk
3rd Place: Lisroland View Estate, Knockbridge

Category B (Estates with more than 50 houses):
1st Place: Willow Grove, Dundalk
2nd Place: Clós Na Manach, Carlingford
3rd Place: Lis Na Dara, Dundalk

Garden Awards:
Best Rural Garden:
1st Place: Lough View House, Omeath- for their striking and vibrant garden
2nd Place: Ethel Watters, Halftate, Knockbridge
3rd Place: Geraldine Marmion, Carrickedmond

Best Town Garden:
1st Place: Pauline & Tom Lannigan, Beech Park, Blackrock- for their bold and beautifully colourful garden
2nd Place: John & Ann Mc Mahon, Willow Grove, Dundalk
3rd Place: John Conachy, Greenacres, Dundalk

Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Rosemount B&B, Dundalk

Best Biodiversity/ sustainable Initiative/ project: Blackrock Park Grow Zone, Dundalk

Best Presented Business Premises: Dundalk Dog Rescue, Dromiskin, Dundalk

Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Initiative: Omeath Tidy Towns – for their Circular Economies Initiatives

Ardee Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District, Councillor Dolores Minogue announced the winners in the Ardee area.
Estate Awards were presented in two categories:

Category A (Estates with fewer than 50 houses):
1st Place: Glyde Road, Tallanstown
2nd Place: Maryville, Dunleer
3rd Place: Cherrywood Park, Tallanstown

Category B (Estates with more than 50 houses):
1st Place: Cappocksgate, Ardee
2nd Place: Ferdia Park, Ardee
3rd Place: Sliabh Breagh, Ardee

Garden Awards:
Best Rural Garden:
1st Place: Margaret & Peadar Thompson, ‘Anfield House’, Coole -for their eye-catching and full of life garden
2nd Place: Peadar Lynch, Roodstown, Ardee
3rd Place: Edgar & Lily Treadwell, Drumcar

Best Town Garden:
1st Place: Declan & Rosaleen Mc Keown, Dunleer- for their stunning and rich in colour garden
2nd Place: Roderick Rooney, Cottage View, Old Dawson Demesne, Ardee
3rd Place: Ann O’Rourke Cappocksgate, Ardee

Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Sarks Pub, Louth Village

Best Biodiversity/ Sustainable Initiative/ project: Ardee Parish Centre, Ardee

Best Presented Business Premises: Larry Hand & Sons Butchers, Dunleer

Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Initiative: Dunleer Tidy Towns – for their Garden of Remembrance in Dunleer

Louth In Bloom Overall County Winners

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Sean Kelly announced the Overall Winners as follows:

Estates: Harmony Heights, Drogheda (Cat A- less than 50 Houses), Willow Grove, Dundalk (Cat B- over 50 Houses)

Best Rural Garden: Margaret & Peadar Thompson, ‘Anfield House’, Coole

Best Town Garden: Pauline & Tom Lannigan Beech Park, Blackrock

Best Biodiversity/ Sustainable Initiative/ project: Blackrock Park Grow Zone

Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Project: Omeath Tidy Towns, Circular Economies Initiatives

Best Presented Business Premises: Tredagh Lodge Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre Drogheda

Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Moore’s Caravan Park, Clogherhead.

Slí Ghlas an Lú Awards

Sustainable Energy Initiative/Project: Blackrock Tidy Towns

Litter Management Initiative/Project: Dromiskin Tidy Towns

Sustainable Community Environment/Biodiversity Initiative/Project: Carlingford Tidy Towns

Sustainable Food Initiative /Project: Dundalk Tidy Towns

Sustainable Recycling Initiative/Project: Omeath Tidy Towns

Overall County Winner: Blackrock Tidy Towns

Borough District of Drogheda

Mayor of Borough District of Drogheda, Councillor Michelle Hall, announced the winners for the Drogheda area.

Estate Awards were presented in two categories:

Category A (Estates with fewer than 50 houses):
1st Place: Harmony Heights, Drogheda
2nd Place: Beaulieu View, Drogheda
3rd Place: An Rian, Drogheda

Category B (Estates with more than 50 houses):
1st Place: Wheaton Hall, Drogheda
2nd Place: Forest Grange, Drogheda
3rd Place: Five Oaks Village, Drogheda

Garden Awards:

Best Rural Garden:
1st Place: Sean McCormack, Tullyesker – for his vibrant and inspiring garden
2nd Place: Ann Humphreys, Old Farm House, Termonfeckin
3rd Place: Martin Brady, Belview, Cartown

Best Town Garden:
1st Place: Deborah O’Brien-Lynch, Forest Edge, Stameen – for her stunning garden
2nd Place: Madeline & Nicholas Heeney, Ashfield, Drogheda
3rd Place: Josephine Moran, Georgian Close, Drogheda

Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Moore’s Caravan Park, Clogherhead

Best Biodiversity Initiative: Townley Hall Walled Garden

Best Presented Business Premises: Tredagh Lodge Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre

Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Initiative: Drogheda Tidy Towns – for their work on the Old Quarry Way