by Kate Heaney
ALL of 41 towns and villages in County Donegal entered in this year’s Supervalu Tidy Towns competition have increased their scores with a number of first time entries. The maximum mark achievable is 550.
Judges praised Letterkenny under the Community heading stating “The sub-committee system you have developed is an excellent way to share the workload and enable volunteers to get involved in activities they are interested in. A broad range of volunteers from different sectors support the work of the Tidy Towns group. Your efforts to support people in direct provision and the integration of Ukrainian arrivals into the community have been favourably noted by the adjudicator”.
Their mark in this category increased from 51 last year to 53 this year out of a potential maximum of 80.
The development of the Cathedral Quarter was praised under the ‘Streetscape’ heading however, the judges “would like to suggest repainting the boundary wall around Trinity Hall as it would enhance the area”.
Under the ‘Green Spaces’ heading there was praise for the allotments and gardens “the town allotments and gardens were fabulous green community spaces that are managed in an eco-friendly way”.
Under the ‘Residential Street and Housing areas’ judges mentioned two areas.
“Two areas that stood out to the adjudicator were Ashlawn, with its well-cared properties, wildlife area and mature trees. The second area was Muckish Avenue, where residents had used planters to enhance the entrance to their street”.
This year Letterkenny increased its score from 355 last year to 368 this year.
They also got a County Second and a Gold Medal in their category.
Carraig Airt received a County Third and a Bronze medal while Glenties, Malin, Raphoe and Moville also received Bronze.
Buncrana got the County First Award and a Gold Medal while Muff received an Endeavour Award.
Carraig Airt got the Gaeltacht Town award again receiving €2,500.
Buncrana was the Large Town Regional winner and received €1,000 and Ballyshannon got the Town Centre First Award and €5,000.
Carraig Art Tidy Town Organiser Columba Boyce gave his comments in Irish as the town has now won the Gaeltacht Award 16 times.
Chuir Oifigeach Caidrimh Phoiblí Coiste Bailte Slachtmhara Charraig Airt, Colm Ó Buaidhe, fáilte roimh ardú aon mharc déag i gComórtas Bhailte Slachtmhara 2023.
Ghnóthaigh an 363 marc a fuair Carraig Airt i mbliana an bonn cré-umha agus an tríú áit i nDún na nGall, sé mharc níos lú ná Bun Cranncha (369) agus cúig mharc níos lú ná Leitir Ceanainn (368).
Ina theannta mBailte seo, ghnóthaigh Carraig Airt an dara áit, arbh fhiú €1,000, i gComórtas Gaeltacht ana Slachtmhara, lé Béal an Mhuirthead sa chéad áit le 365 marc.
Bhain Mainistir Laoise an chéad áit ar an iomlán i gComórtas na mBailte Slachtmhara 2023 le 376 marc.
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