Kilkenny takes top honours as Ireland's tidiest town

Kilkenny City has been named as the winner of 2014's Tidy Towns competition.

Kilkenny, which has referred to itself as a city since 1609 despite its small population, fended off 848 other towns and villages to take the top honour for the first time since 1985.

The city also took home the secondary prize of being named Ireland's tidies large urban centre.

Other towns to take home awards included:

• Clonegal, Co Carlow - Ireland's tidiest village

• Kilrush, Co Clare - Ireland's tidiest small town

• Westport, Co Mayo - Ireland's tidiest large town

The announcement was made at today's award ceremony in The Helix theatre on the Dublin City University campus.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for local Government Alan Kelly said Kilkenny was "a really worthy winner."

"I am very impressed by the enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort. The results of their efforts are obvious in the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country," he said.

"It is clear that working together and getting things done increases peoples’ pride in where they live and helps to build vibrant communities."

The SuperValu-sponsored annual competition attracts widespread attention across Ireland, with over 800 entries in each of the last four years.