Kilkenny scored a hat-trick yesterday when it was named Ireland’s cleanest town for the third year in a row.

They might have to wait another three weeks to learn their fate on the hurling pitch, but Kilkenny folk are celebrating victory in another field after winning the national Tidy Towns contest.

A €5.5m “Medieval Mile” investment which is set to “transform” Kilkenny and make it one of the most attractive city centres in the country was officially launched yesterday.

KERRY has topped the poll as the most popular holiday destination in a survey that asked people where they were planning a short break at home this year.

Mr Pat Crotty has been elected as the chairman of the Small Firms Association (SFA).