Celebrating Community Spirit: Cork‘s Dominance at the Supervalu Tidy Towns Awards

Cork witnessed a remarkable achievement at this year’s Supervalu Tidy Towns Awards, with Ballincollig proudly claiming the overall national title. This significant recognition marks the 12th consecutive gold medal for the dedicated committee of 13 volunteers from Ballincollig, who confidently stated they’ve “never gone backwards with our results.” Such steadfast commitment exemplifies the values of community participation and environmental stewardship.

Now in its 66th year, this annual event brought together a vibrant gathering in Croke Park on a Friday afternoon, where a multitude of awards were presented to communities across the nation. This year’s awards centered on crucial topics of climate change and sustainability, reflecting an ever-growing consciousness about the environment.

A remarkable 904 entries were submitted for this year’s competition, with 30,000 volunteers contributing their time and efforts across nine communities. The collective impact was astonishing, with over 108,000 trees planted and two tons of waste gathered throughout these initiatives. Notably, 20% of the committee members comprise individuals under the age of 25, indicating a strong commitment to cultivating a new generation of environmental stewards.

In addition to the coveted top prize, Ballincollig also secured the title of "Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre," while Ballyphehane was honored with the "Young Persons in Tidy Towns" award, reflecting the engagement of youth in community beautification efforts.

Other notable winners included Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath, which received the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Village, and Blackrock, Co. Louth, recognized as the tidiest small town. Westport, Co. Mayo, was awarded the title of tidiest large town, while Bere Island clinched the National Island award.

Throughout County Cork, the spirit of competition remained spirited, with numerous towns receiving gold, silver, and bronze medals for their dedicated participation. This includes Bandon, Douglas, Fermoy, Bantry, Kinsale, and Youghal, all of which played significant roles in showcasing what community effort is capable of achieving.

Community Voices from Ballincollig Tidy Towns

The celebration of Ballincollig’s triumph was underscored by contributions from several key figures within the Tidy Towns committee. Diarmuid Horgan, Ger Keogh, Garret Kelleher, and Jimmy Shorten emphasized that their victory was deeply rooted in community spirit and teamwork. Gerard Keogh commended the numerous volunteers who dedicate their time—sometimes even on Sunday mornings—to engage in litter picking and other community-focused tasks.

One notable challenge discussed by Ger was the increasing prevalence of discarded vapes, which he described as a "scourge." Community members have collected hundreds of these vapes and are now recycling the different components: batteries, aluminum casings, and plastics. This proactive approach turns a nuisance into an opportunity for sustainability.

Echoing the importance of continuity, Garrett Kelleher remarked that the award is a testament to "years of continuous improvement." Their partnership with local schools, particularly in initiatives like rainwater harvesting, exemplifies the commitment to environmental education and sustainable practices. In memory of the late Tony Whelan, a passionate volunteer, his contributions towards composting initiatives and water conservation were duly noted, further highlighting the personal impact that dedicated individuals have on their communities.

Minister Heather Humphreys hailed Ballincollig as "Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024," stating that their achievement symbolizes a broader narrative of innovation, sustainability, and community involvement—core tenets this competition aims to celebrate. Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, expressed pride in the program and the incredible dedication displayed by the Ballincollig Tidy Towns, showcasing inspiring community spirit.

As communities continue to strive for excellence in environmental stewardship, the collective efforts across the country speak volumes. The awards also highlighted regional performances, including a total of 26 medals awarded across Cork’s various towns, along with notable recognition for special awards.

An Engaging Discussion: Interview with a Sports Coach

Today, we are honored to have with us Jane Murphy, a former athlete and community coach, to delve deeper into the significance of community initiatives like Tidy Towns and how they relate to sports and community resilience.

Interviewer: Welcome, Jane! It’s a pleasure to have you here. As a coach, how do you see the impact of community awards like the Supervalu Tidy Towns on local sports?

Jane Murphy: Thank you for having me! It’s fantastic to see communities coming together for a cause as vital as environmental sustainability. These initiatives, such as Tidy Towns, foster a sense of teamwork that parallels sports. Just as athletes train with discipline and dedication, community members collaborate to improve their surroundings, which can bolster local pride and cohesion—elements that often translate into greater participation in sports.

Interviewer: Absolutely, community pride and unity are essential. Ballincollig’s ongoing success with 12 consecutive gold medals is impressive. What lessons can local sports teams draw from their consistency?

Jane Murphy: Consistency in performance, like what Ballincollig has showcased, highlights the importance of a strong foundation—both in teamwork and long-term commitment. Local sports teams can adopt similar frameworks: setting goals and continuously striving for improvement. Balancing competition with community engagement creates a dynamic in which both athletics and community welfare flourish.

Interviewer: That leads nicely to the issue of volunteerism. The impressive statistic of 30,000 volunteers participating reflects a collective ethos. How can local sports initiatives engage the community similarly?

Jane Murphy: Local sports teams can encourage volunteerism by creating partnerships with community efforts—like taking part in environmental initiatives or organizing clean-ups. Engaging young athletes in community service enriches their personal development while fostering skills such as leadership, responsibility, and respect for the environment.

Interviewer: You mentioned young volunteers earlier, which is encouraging. What significance do you see in having committee members under 25 engaging in such efforts?

Jane Murphy: Including younger individuals in these movements is vital; it empowers the next generation. This aligns well with sports where youth involvement builds future leaders. Young volunteers bring fresh perspectives and innovations that can reinvigorate established practices, particularly in sustainability, as they often have a strong grasp of contemporary issues.

Interviewer: Very insightful, Jane. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As we wrap up, I’d like to hear from our readers. What are your thoughts on the relationship between community initiatives like Tidy Towns and local sports? How can we foster more collaboration between these spheres? Join the discussion in the comments below!

This expansive dialogue around community efforts, as evidenced by Cork’s success at the Tidy Towns Awards, paints a picture of possibility and collaboration, inspiring all arenas—including sports—to strive for greatness while taking care of our environment.