Castletown could be a tidy bet for the double

THE tiny town of Castletown in County Laois has always had big ideas, but none more so than becoming the tidiest place in Ireland.

After taking the runner’s-up spot in 2001, triumph finally came last year and the residents of the inland town are hoping to make it two in a row.

This will not only mean a neat town, but a thriving one.

“There have been a lot more visitors to the village since we won,” says Mary Fleming, the busy treasurer of the local Tidy Towns committee who also finds time to run the local post office. “It has been a great boost for tourism.”

Since beating 700 other towns and villages for the prestigious prize, tourists, trekkers and gawkers have all flocked to Castletown.

Visitors are mesmerised by the beauty of the town on the River Nore. They also come away awed by the hard work of locals that has helped make it that way.

“There is great commitment here,” says Ms Fleming. “Everybody pulls together and does their bit.”

Litter is not an issue, she says, except that left by day-trippers who like to take a dip in the river during the summer. Even village youngsters are conscious of keeping their town as neat as a pin.

“The kids are great,” she says. “They have their own competitions in the schools and that all helps.”

Castletown was the first County Laois entry to take the outright prize in the 44-year history of the competition.

Mary Fleming’s husband, Sean, is the chairman of the Tidy Towns committee. He is also Fianna Fáil TD for Laois/Offally. He credits the award with a long-time commitment by locals.

“This award is the culmination of 17 years’ hard persistent work,” he says. “Everybody knows what is required to do without the need to hold formal meetings.”

The perpetual trophy adorns the front window of the post office and the top prize of €13,000 is being used as a nest-egg to fund future projects. “We didn’t want to flit it away and then regret it later,” says Mary Fleming. “We haven’t used it up yet, but we are in the middle of putting a plan together.”

Last year’s runner-up, the West Cork village of Rathbarry, took second place for the third time last year, but residents are determined to land the national crown this year.

“We just keep getting pipped at the post every year,” says Eugene Scally, chairman of Rathbarry’s Tidy Towns committee. Last year the town lost by a single point, the third time in as many years that has happened.

“People say the village is too small to win but I don’t agree with that,” he says. “We have done huge work in the last few years and we have two big projects in the pipeline. We feel we can do it this year.”

Not if Castletown can help it, though. Last year’s win was a double celebration for the town. The Sunday after they won the title Castletown went on to win the county football final.

“We’re hoping to make it two-in-a-row for the county as well this year,” says Mary Fleming, confident of making it a double-double for Castletown in 2003.

Ireland’s latest running sensation, Paul McKee, will start the tidy towns race in Dublin today.

Our World Championship medal winner will sprint alongside actress Sophie Vavasseur, star of the movie Evelyn, at the National Tidy Towns launch in Stephen’s Green.