This article is from page 12 of the 2009-06-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
ENNIS’ status as one of Ireland’s ti- diest towns was reaffirmed yesterday when the County Clare capital won a second major prize in just over a iste @
Ennis was named as Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre, at Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition.
The winning entrants were drawn from winners of the 2008 Tidy Towns competition and the Super Valu Best Kept Town Awards in Northern Ire- land.
The Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment and the NIAC initiated the Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competi- tion in 1995 to help raise the profile of both the Tidy Towns and Northern Ireland’s “Best Kept” competitions, and so help to improve the standard of towns and villages across the 1s- land of Ireland.
Ennis was marked against strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appear- ance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment.
Minister of State Tony Killeen commented that Ennis’ award suc- cess could not have been accom- plished without the support of the wider community.
The Junior Agriculture Minister said, “Ireland’s Best Kept Town com- petition provides members of the lo- cal community with the opportunity
to show their pride in their respective towns and villages. It is evident from Ennis’ outstanding success in this year’s competition that the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place is very much alive in the county capi- tal’.
“Despite the huge volumes of peo- ple that live in and visit Ennis, it has successfully managed to retain its unique heritage, charm and tidy ap- pearance,’ he added.
Miss Doreen Muskett MBE, Presi- dent of the Northern Ireland Amen- ity Council said, “We are delighted for Newcastle in taking the overall title, and well done to Loughgall, Ennis and Glenties for their success
in this year’s competition. Judging is never an easy task when you are comparing the best towns and vil- lages across Ireland, but there is a very healthy and good natured spirit of competition among the entrants.”
This is the second time in over a week Ennis has been recognized as one of Ireland’s best-kept towns.
Last week, Ennis was named as the second cleanest town in Ireland in the latest Irish Anti Business Against Litter IBAL) survey.