TidyTowns

The TidyTowns competition started in 1958 and is one of Ireland’s best-known sustainable and environmental initiatives. The competition is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu.

2024 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition

Congratulations to the worthy Longford winners in the national 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition! It is great to see the hard work of County Longford towns and their volunteers recognised amongst the over 900 towns competing. Their commitment keeps our communities cleaner, greener, and more welcoming. County Longford winners are:
  • County Winner and Gold Medal honours: Abbeyshrule TidyTowns with an impressive score of 384 – just two marks shy of the national winner!
  • Second place countywide and earning a Gold Medal: Longford TidyTowns, with a fantastic 374 marks.
  • Third place countywide: Newtowncashel TidyTowns with 371 marks
  • Bronze Medal: Drumlish TidyTowns with 367 marks
  • Endeavour Award: Stonepark TidyTowns – a testament to their growing impact!

Thank you to all 26 participating areas in Longford – with 16 achieving over 300 marks and setting a brilliant example of teamwork and dedication. Here’s to a cleaner, brighter Longford! 

TidyTowns.ie

Find out all you need to know about this year's competition on TidyTowns.ie. Included within this website are:

  • The SuperValu TidyTowns Handbook, prepared with input from the national panel of TidyTowns Adjudicators
  • 2024 Entry Forms
  • How to find your local committee
  • TidyTowns news

TidyTowns engagement event

Longford County Council’s first TidyTowns engagement event was held in April 2024, with 14 local TidyTowns groups in attendance. Read the press release on this event.

At the event, guest speaker Ann O’Leary shared over 43 years of experience as a TidyTowns adjudicator. Ann shared her insights and experience on many topics relevant to the TidyTowns process to help groups with their competition preparations. In case you missed it, you can now view this presentation online.

Longford County Council also shared information with the groups on initiatives being developed by the Council which could benefit the groups into the future. Topics of biodiversity, sustainability, climate action and environmental awareness initiatives were also discussed. You can also view this presentation from the event

Pathways to Funding 

Over 125 community representatives recently attended our Pathways to Funding: Community Grant Information Sessions. These sessions were held in Longford, Ballymahon and Granard libraries.

For anyone who was not able to attend, here are the Pathways to Funding presentation slides.

See also Pathways to Funding: Procurement Guidance to help with understanding what you need to do when seeking suppliers.

Sustainable Use of Pesticides

Guidance for TidyTowns to ensure compliance with the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was circulated in March 2024. This directive establishes a framework to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment. To ensure compliance, TidyTowns groups must adhere to requirements detailed in this Guidance document. 

If you’ve any queries on this, email pesticideregisters@agriculture.gov.ie or call 01 615 75 52.

The case against ‘wildflower’ seed mixtures

For information on the use of wildflower seed mixtures, read a proposition paper from Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club: The case against 'wildflower' seed mixtures, dated July 2021.

Environmental Complaints Form

TidyTowns groups can make an environmental complaint or report littering, illegal dumping, or water, noise or air pollution through our Environmental Complaints Form

Contact Us

Longford County Council TidyTowns liaison is our Environmental Awareness Officer:
E: cmcgoey@longfordcoco.ie