Kildare Co Council has extended a 'huge congratulations' to the 38 towns and villages in the county that participated in this year's Tidy Towns competition.
The standard has never been higher – as there was a record number of 883 towns and villages across Ireland that took part in 2018.
A big debt of gratitude is owed to the teams of volunteers across Co Kildare who worked long hours in wind and rain and sun to keep their communities looking so beautiful for locals and visitors.
A Kildare Co Council spokesperson said: "Well done to one and all, we are really proud of you."
Award winners
Gold Medals were awarded to Naas, Maynooth, Straffan, Leixlip and Kill. Well done on Kill upgrading from Silver to Gold.
Three Silver Medal winners were Celbridge, Newbridge and Ballymore Eustace. Bronze was also awarded to Clane and Rathangan.
County Awards were issued to Maynooth while Naas was Highly Commended and Straffan was Commended.
Milltown picked up the 'Endeavour Award Category', improving in marks from last year by 6.27% - the highest improvement across Co Kildare.
Naas Tidy towns were runners-ups in the 'Clean Air Award' and also achieved an award for 'Gum Litter Taskforce' under the Large Town and Urban Centre Award.
Ballymore Eustace upgraded from Bronze to Silver and they were also winners of the 'Water & Communities Award'
National winners
The National Award Winner is Listowel, Co Kerry while Ireland’s Tidiest Village was Glaslough, Co Monaghan.
Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town is Listowel, Co Kerry and Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town is Westport, Co Mayo
Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre is Ballincollig, Co Cork,
Want to help out?
Kildare's Tidy Towns Ambassador, GAA star Johnny Doyle, is calling on the people of Kildare to become involved in your local Tidy Towns group we can help you get in touch with them.
Tidy Towns groups do more than regular litter cleanups.
The Tidy Towns competition has really expanded to include helping wildlife, protecting our built heritage and helping communities to reduce waste and increase recycling.
So if you have a couple of hours to spare every month and want to become involved in improving your community- why not give it a try?
Kildare County Council is proud to support these groups and will be working closely with them on an ongoing basis.
Support is available in the form of equipment such as litter pickers and bags, for cleanups.
In addition, further assistance with developing the work of the committees will be given through the Kildare Tidy Towns network.
This network is an opportunity for groups to share ideas and also receive training in areas such as enhancing wildlife, encouraging waste reduction and applying for the Tidy Towns competition.
If you want to become involved in your local Tidy Towns group we can help you get in touch with them.
For more details contact Cora Dempsey, Kildare County Council at 045 980815 or email codempsey@kildarecoco.ie
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