'A pleasure and great surprise'

Both Killaloe and Ballina Tidy Towns committees and volunteers were delighted on Friday last when the results of Tidy Towns 2025 were announced. Both towns saw an increase in marks from last year’s results with Killaloe increasing from 294 to 308, and Ballina increasing from 354 to 364. We congratulate and thank the hard-working committees and volunteers who strive to keep both towns in pristine condition throughout the entire year. Killaloe has a committee of 10 people and 40 regular volunteers, while Ballina has a committee of nine and 22 regular volunteers.

The adjudicators’ reports are available on the Tidy Towns Results 2025 website and make for most interesting reading. Let me share with you the concluding remarks of adjudicators:

Ballina: “The new bridge will have a huge positive impact on what can be achieved in town centre through freeing up space and lessening congestion. That and legacy Celtic Tiger issues have been challenging for Ballina but nevertheless some excellent work is being done and progress is being made. Developing a five-year plan with good community and wider stakeholder involvement focusing could map the route to further success.”

Killaloe: “It was a pleasure and great surprise to visit Killaloe and to see the enormous work already undertaken by your relatively newly formed committee. Well done on all your endeavours and you are wished continued success. On adjudication day, despite the wind and the wet weather, Killaloe was looking remarkably clean and tidy with very little litter to be seen. You are endeavouring to identify areas of the town that are neglected and overgrown and bit by bit, you are clearing these areas, which reduces dumping and littering and improves the overall appearance. You are to be commended for these endeavours.”