Tralee gets into bloom for top EU environment competition
Upwards of 5,000 plants and flowers are being grown in Tralee, Co Kerry, as the town awaits a visit from judges in the Entente Florale project, in which it is representing Ireland.
Following a determined effort to improve its appearance, Tralee has been performing well in the national Tidy Towns competition which is similar to the Entente Florale.
Attractive rose gardens have been developed over the years in the town park to mark the annual Rose of Tralee Festival. But Tralee is all set for its most colourful floral display to date, as it prepares to welcome the Entente judges when they visit on July 30-31.
They will meet Tidy Towns activists as well as local authority, business and community representatives.
The judges will be given a 30-minute presentation before undertaking a six-hour inspection of Tralee.
Local organising committee chairman, Johnny Wall said Entente was more than a competition about flowers.
It has, he explained, evolved into something that embraces the general environment, including a town’s approach to planning and development, cleanliness and green issues.
“The landscape and issues like energy conservation and recycling also come into it,” Mr Wall said.
The business community is also throwing its weight behind the project and Kieran Ruttledge of Tralee Chamber Alliance has urged shop owners to clean and redecorate their premises.
Also, Tidy Tralee Together has called for more volunteers to take part in its twice-weekly clean-ups.
Neighbouring Killarney represented Ireland in Entente Florale in 2007, and won a gold medal.
Meanwhile, volunteers are being sought in Tralee to operate the local tourist information kiosk until the end of August.
Last year, there were 30 volunteers — but the team is being increased so that the service can be provided for additional hours each day.
New volunteers will be given a briefing on what Tralee has to offer visitors.
