Ballincollig and Killarney pick up awards as Abbeyleix named Ireland's tidiest town

More than 887 towns were in the running at this year's SuperValu Tidy Towns awards. File Picture: Naoise Culhane

Abbeyleix in Laois has been Ireland's tidiest town for 2023.

As well as securing the overall award, Abbeyleix was also named as Ireland's tidiest small town.

The Supervalu Tidy Towns award for the country's tidiest large urban centre went to Ballincollig, Co Cork, while the award for Ireland's tidiest large town went to Killarney.

Geashill in Offaly also scooped the award for Ireland's tidiest village.

More than 887 towns were in the running for this year's Supervalu Tidy Towns awards, which were handed out at a ceremony in Dublin's Croke Park this afternoon.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys congratulated all of the award-winners, and said that overall winner Abbeyleix showcased "all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism.

"This is at the core of what the competition is all about," she said.

Ms Humphreys also paid tribute to the commitment of the more than 1,000 tidy town committees and 30,000 volunteers across the country.

"I want to recognise the vital role of TidyTowns volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit," she said.

"You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities.”

More to follow . . .