Judges warn of floral blemish on town’s beauty

CLONAKILTY has been named the tidiest town in West Cork, but its Tidy Towns Committee have been warned about overusing hanging baskets and window boxes.

Tidy Towns judges pointed out their concerns to the committee as the town — which won the top award in the 1999 competition, and gold in the 2009 Entente Florale — was yesterday named the tidiest town in West Cork.

“To visit Clonakilty is to be enraptured and captured by the sheer beauty of the town,” the judges enthused.

“The present generation, civic authorities, commercial interests and individuals have combined to enhance and accentuate the attractive town they have inherited.”

They said despite the level of construction in the town over the last decade, it has retained its charm.

They singled out the presentation of shops on Pierce Street and Ash Street for praise but said more should be encouraged to follow the Bank of Ireland’s example and use the Irish language more.

They also said it is disappointing that the old Convent of Mercy has not secured an alternative use.

But they warned against the overuse of hanging baskets and window boxes. “These colourful displays help to lead the eye along the street to the next colourful presentation,” they said.

“However there is an upcoming danger that such a heavy use of window boxes and hanging baskets will begin to obscure the built heritage of the town — that is the landscaping becomes the story rather than what lies behind it.

“This is not a criticism but a point of view that the committee might like to consider.”

Kinsale was named the tidiest town in south Cork.

While judges said they were impressed with the presentation of the town’s shop fronts, several public buildings, and the tidiness of its warren of back streets, they said the committee’s actual entry in the competition let the town down. “Last year’s adjudicators raised several points which have gone unanswered,” the judges said.

“Please do your organisation and beautiful town more justice next year by supplying more details and background.”

They also said the town could do more to capitalise on its coastal location by giving more information on marine and coastal life.

Coolagown in north Cork was named the tidiest in north Cork.

The judges said it was a joy to visit the village and to see the progress it has made “to advance and accentuate” its natural beauty.

“Coolagown has positioned itself in the very top echelon of the competition and the marks awarded here reflect that,” the judges said.

Millstreet, Macroom and Eyeries were highly commended, and Kilworth, Ballincollig and Rathbarry were commended.

Cobh, which was dubbed a litter blackspot in 2006, has cleaned up its image to take a bronze medal in its category.