News Release -
Shannon Region celebrates success in National Tidy Towns Competition
Clean sweep as Shannon Region scoops highest ever number of Awards
The tremendous role played by Tidy Town’s Committees throughout the Shannon Region in enhancing the environment was recognised at a celebration last night (Monday 3rd November ‘08), when these committees were officially presented with a range of Tidy Towns Awards by Mr Michael Kitt T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, SuperValu Director John O’ Callaghan, the overall competition sponsor, and Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development.
Minister Kitt was in Limerick, to present the Shannon Region Tidy Towns Awards and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Tidy Towns Competition. In all, the Shannon Region won 33 Tidy Towns Awards in the competition, the highest number of awards secured by the Region since the competition began in 1958. Among these were 5 national awards and 28 regional awards.
In congratulating everyone involved, the Minister pointed out “Tidy Towns is in reality a development programme which gives a solid structure to community groups seeking to improve their environment; a platform on which to build year on year. With new categories having been added in recent years, the competition now encompasses virtually all aspects of our natural and physical environment.”
The Awards ceremony, at the Radisson Hotel, Limerick, was organised by Shannon Development, who administer and promote the National Tidy Towns Competition in the Shannon Region.
“The awards ceremony gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the 1,000 people in Tidy Towns Committees throughout the Shannon Region who selflessly give their time and enthusiasm to effect real lasting benefits in their local environment. We salute all those unsung heros in this the 50th anniversary year of the National Tidy Towns Competition. Their achievement sets a wonderful example for others to follow, and will undoubtedly act as a stimulus to spur on the continued excellent work by all tidy towns groups throughout the Region”, said, Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development speaking at the awards ceremony.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony John O Callaghan, SuperValu Director, said “SuperValu has been the national sponsors of Tidy Towns since 1990, bringing our involvement in the competition to over eighteen years, a competition which has at its heart a desire to harness community spirit. While we make a significant investment in Tidy Towns at national level, the real support happens on the ground where most of our 192 SuperValu retailers, who both live and work in the communities in which they operate, are actively involved in supporting many different Tidy Towns initiatives aimed at improving their local area. However, for us Tidy Towns is not just about the process of improving our local areas; it is about building community spirit, fostering team work, creating a sense of pride and respect in what is around us, an awareness of how precious our natural environment is, and it is about realising what we can do when we work together for the common good”.
The Shannon Region Tidy Towns ‘Personality Award’, always a closely guarded secret until the presentation, was unveiled at the event by Jimmy O’Loughlin, Visitor Services Manager Shannon Development who was the MC for the Awards ceremony. This special annual Award was instigated in 2000 by Shannon Development to acknowledge long-service and commitment by an individual working voluntarily for the benefit of their community.
“This year Shannon Development chose Denis Floyd from Birdhill Tidy Towns Committee in Co. Tipperary. Denis received the Award for his dedicated service to the Tidy Towns effort in Birdhill, where he has been the back bone of the team for many years. His outstand commitment to Tidy Towns has been superb and he is a wonderful role model for Tidy Towns volunteers throughout the country,” said Mr. O’ Loughlin.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Competition, Shannon Development organised a few surprises including a sapling tree for all Tidy Towns participants attending the function sponsored by Coillte; a weekend break sponsored by the Radisson Hotel for their Sligo Radisson Hotel; tickets for a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle sponsored by Shannon Heritage, and a visit to the Cliffs of Moher for one Tidy Towns Committee including transport sponsored by Clare County Council.
The Tidy Towns Competition is organised nationally by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and it is co-ordinated in the Shannon Region by Shannon Development.
Barry and Luke O' Connor from Clarina and Isabelle McMullen from Parteen joined Michael Kitt TD., Minister of State at the Dept. of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development to add a bit of 'flower power' to the Shannon Region Tidy Towns Awards ceremony which took place at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Limerick.
End
For further information please contact:
| Frank Larkin Public Relations Manager Tel: +353 61 710262 Mobile: +353 86-2070773 Fax: 061 363180 E-mail:Click Here |
Nandi O’Sullivan Senior Press Officer Tel: +353 61 710259 Mobile: +353 86-2371510 Fax: 061 363180 E-mail: Click Here |
Webmaster:Paul DeeganTel: +353 61 710477 Mobile: +353 86 2661179 Email: Click Here |
Return to index of articles