Eight golds secured for Clare at Tidy Towns awards

EIGHT gold awards were secured by Clare areas in the annual Tidy Towns awards.

Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle, Ennis, Kilrush, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Quin, Shannon and Tuamgraney Tidy Towns groups all won Gold for 2026. Doonbeg, Ruan and Sixmilebridge claimed Silver medals.

Corofin Tidy Towns took the Regional prize in the ‘Young Persons in Tidy Towns’ category, and Tulla Tidy Towns were ‘Highly Commended’ by judges.

A marking system based on an area’s population splits the different towns and villages into categories. Winners were announced on Friday in Croke Park at an awards ceremony attended by over 600 Tidy Towns volunteers. 936 entries were received nationally, an increase on the 926 of 2025.

With a mark of 411, Quin was named as the tidiest place in Co Clare. Quin has been participating in the Tidy Towns since 1958. A three-year plan has recently been launched by Quin Tidy Towns. Quin was also won the ‘Best Newcomer’ award for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plans, which is sponsored by heritage offices and biodiversity offices of local authorities across Ireland.

Ballinahown in Co. Westmeath was named as Ireland’s Tidiest Town as well as Ireland’s Tidiest Village. The Gaeltacht Award was given to Carraig Airt, Co. Donegal.

Category A

Ballyvaughan 409
Labasheeda 389
Cooraclare 358
Feakle 357
Connolly 349
Whitegate 344
Carrigaholt 341
Cranny 341
Bridgetown 340
Spanish Point 340
Bodyke 332
Killimer 324
Coolmeen 307
Mullagh 303
Cross 302
Inagh 289
Kilmurry McMahon 277
Inch 263

Category B
Quin 411 County First & Gold Medal
Tuamgraney 403 Gold Medal
Ruan 401 Silver Medal
Doonbeg -398 Silver Medal
Corofin 384
Scariff 365
Tulla 359
Kilmihil 356
Knock 354
Clonlara 347
Mountshannon 347
Bunratty 337
Barefield 336
Kilmurry 319
Cratloe 308
Cree 306
Kilkishen 306
Spancilhill Clooney 290
Broadford 288
Kilfenora 285
Parteen 268
Kilnaboy 251 Endeavour Award