Westport wins Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town 2012

Westport has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town in the 2012 Tidy Towns Awards. Westport was just one point behind the winner of the Tidiest Town in Ireland, Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford.

Westport was also named the county and regional winner, and retained its Gold Medal. The town was also one of ten towns to win a Tourism Town award, and to put the icing on the cake, Bridie Moran, of Westport Tidy Towns was named a SuperValu Tidy Towns Hero 2012.

Westport has won the Tidiest Town in Ireland award on three occasions: 2001, 2006 and 2008.

Responding to the announcement Minister for State, Michael Ring said: “The people of Westport take huge pride in the appearance of the town and it is wonderful to see their work being rewarded”.

“I was delighted to learn that Westport has been named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town in the 2012 Tidy Towns Awards. This award is richly deserved following the endless work and dedication involved in keeping Westport tidy. I wish to take this opportunity to highly commend the Chairperson of Westport Tidy Towns, Mr Frank Dolan, the committee itself and the large number of volunteers. I also want to compliment Mr Martin Keating, Director of Services, the indoor and outdoor staff of Westport Town Council, FÁS and Mayo County Council.”

He also praised all the other towns and villages in Mayo that had achieved gongs in the awards, which were presented yesterday by Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, said: “SuperValu TidyTowns is the public expression of the work countless individuals undertake to build community spirit and make their local area a better place to live.”