Village heritage park is a ‘little gem’
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Some of the restored reminders of times past farming life in the area at the heritage park.Image 2 of 2
The welcome message on the village green for all visitors to Birdhill from the Tidy Towns Committee. INSET: Some of the restored reminders of times past farming life in the area at the heritage park in Toor.Judging of entries in the 2026 Super Valu National Tidy Towns Contest is well underway with volunteers behind all six local entries actively engaged to ensure that their location is looking its best.
While Birdhill, the 2017 Overall National Winner continues to look resplendent in the glorious weather, making progress in leaps is the tiny hillside village of Toor, off the beaten track on the Newport to Rearcross road via Knockfune. Like so many rural locations gone are the days for Toor of the local shop of licensed premises and the only community assembly point is the lovely Our Lady of Lourdes Church beside the river. But the community are resilient and proud of their village, which they have greatly developed with the theme of heritage. Last year the tidy village entry was awarded an increase of 14 point and were winners of the county endeavour award. A heritage park on the theme of farming life of the community in the area of the past which has now been completed is a little gem and adds to the tiny village becoming one to watch climbing the honours list. Not far away is the picturesque village of Killoscully under the shadow of Keeper Hill, a consistent high scorer in the contest with an increase of 14 points last year.
Down the road is Shallee where remembrance is the theme and a gain of 11 points boosted their 2025 result, while Ballinahinch and Newport both earned gains of nine points each.
Newport, the largest population entry of the six local participants, is a challenging undertaking because of its scale which caters for a multi-international expanding population.
Seasonal cleaning is ongoing weekly at Newport covering a large area stretching to Oakhampton to Portryan with attention also to the Biodiversity Haven, which they have created at the Canon's Well on the Rockvale Road, an area of natural growth and tranquility for all to enjoy. Their work, which is demanding, is being aided by the assistance of the county council outdoor staff who have given a lot of help in recent weeks on an area at the back of the car park where they are planning a new project.
Compliments to each location on the efforts to beautify their centres, and continued success in the 2026 results.