By Evelyn Cullen
IT’S been 10 years since Letterkenny was officially Ireland’s tidiest town, the top spot in the National Tidy Towns competition, but at the launch event for this year’s competition, which took place at An Grianán Theatre on Tuesday morning, there was a palpable optimism about our chances this year.
“It’s possible,” said Gerard McCormick, who is joint-chair of the committee with his brother, Brian.
“We have a lot of great work done and of course more to do. But we can make it happen,” he said.
Members of the Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee pictured at the launch of the 2025 programme.
Letterkenny has received a Gold Medal in the competition every year since the gold medal system was introduced in 2003, making a total of 21 Gold Medals to date. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to towns that reach a high standard in the judging process, with the gold medal being a mark of excellence.
In last year’s competition, Letterkenny received a second judgment, which indicated a strong potential to win.
“That was huge for us and as a committee we were absolutely delighted to be in the running,” said Gerard. As it turned out, Ballincollig in Cork took the top spot in our category, Large Urban Centres, and not only that but then went on to win the overall prize of Ireland’s tidiest town. Letterkenny finished just 5 points behind Ballincollig in the Large Urban Centres category.
The competition is judged across eight key areas, with a maximum of 80 points in each section. While Letterkenny’s performance has improved significantly in the area of Biodiversity, thanks to projects like the 80 trees that were planted on Sentry Hill earlier this year, there’s work to be done in the Tidiness and Litter Control section, explained Gerard.
“We were 12 points behind the winner in this section last year and we hope to make in-roads in this section,” he said. This includes things like improving street furniture, road signs and the painting of traffic islands, work that needs the support of the council due to safety issues.
Local representatives at the launch of the Letterkenny Tidy Town programme for 2025.
Gerard painted a picture of a trojan community effort to make Letterkenny a better town to live in, which involves the committee itself, dedicated volunteers, residents’ associations, businesses, sports clubs and the all-important collaboration with Donegal County Council.
In particular, the committee works closely with the Environment and the Engineering sections of the Council. With the Spring Clean initiative now underway, residents are encouraged to take part by tidying up their areas and can contact the Council for support, advice and clean-up supplies.
“Our relationship with the Council is crucial and it works seamlessly. It’s an example of how good local government works and I want to thank them for the work they do in our community,” he added.
Donegal Councty Council officials John McCandless, Martin Roarty and Brendan McBride, seated, pictured with, from left, Brian McCormack, Michael McGarvey, Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Cllr Gerry McMonagle, President of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Jimmy Stafford, Gerard McCormack and Seamus Hopkins.
He also gave a special word of thanks to Neil Blockley, who is committee’s litter co-ordinator.
“Neil is at the market square every Sunday morning hail, rain or shine to co-ordinate the litter-pick.”
The judging takes place anonymously in June and everyone is encouraged to play their part in keeping Letterkenny tidy.
“If we can keep the council working with us, the community, the committee and our team of hard-working volunteers, it’s possible we can stay at the top of our category and who knows were that could lead,” concluded Gerard.
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