Bantry is the overall winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition, 2019. The results were announced this week at an awards ceremony in Farmleigh House.
Bantry also won the Best Kept Small Town category. Arklow, County Wicklow won the Best Kept Large Town category, Donaghmore, County Tyrone won the Best Kept Village category and Bangor, County Down won the Best Kept Large Urban Centre category.
Ireland’s Best Kept Town is an all-island competition in which some of the best towns in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition.
Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, congratulated the winners of 2019 Competition.
Minister Ring said: “I want to congratulate all of the winners and nominees in the all-island Best Kept Town competition, and in particular Bantry, Co. Cork for winning the overall title along with the title of Best Kept Small Town and Arklow, Co. Wicklow, the winners of the Best Kept Large Town category.
The Minister continued: “The all-island Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It shows how local volunteers take ownership of their surroundings and work to improve them, for both now and into the future.
“Being nominated for these awards represents an achievement in itself, and is recognition of the efforts made by volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland.”
Doreen Muskett, MBE, President of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the body that organises the Best Kept Awards, said: “The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities, those who work tirelessly to make their surroundings a nice place to work, live and play in. My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients. The panel of esteemed judges had a very difficult task in comparing and selecting the eventual winners, which is a testament to the stunning towns and villages that we are lucky enough to have here. I am delighted that Donaghmore and Bangor have been recognised amongst Ireland’s most beautiful spots.”
