Offaly Tidy Towns winners' podium remains unchanged

The results of the Tidy Towns competition, announced today (Monday), reveal that Offaly Tidy Towns winners' podium stands just as did last year. Geashill retained its top spot as Offaly's tidiest, followed once more by Clonbullogue and Tubber. Tullamore went one better than last year however. Offaly's county town was a bronze medal winner in last year's Tidy Towns competition, but this year was awarded a silver medal. The overall winner of this year's Tidy Towns competition - which attracted a record 855 entries - was revealed as Abbeyshrule in Co Longford with 312 marks. The village also won the tidiest village category of the competition. Other winners included Clonakilty (tidiest small town), Westport (tidiest large town) and Ennis (tidiest large urban centre). Prizes were awarded at a ceremony attended by almost 1,000 Tidy Towns volunteers from all over the country by Environment Minister Phil Hogan. Thirty-eight Tidy Towns entrants were awarded gold medals. A further 25 - including Tullamore - were awarded silver, while another 33 including Geashill and Clonbullogue were awarded bronze medals. Offaly winner Geashill added four marks to its tally of 294 last year, giving the village 298 points this year. Clonbullogue came hot on its heels, with an impressive 297 marks this year. Tubber followed with 294 points, while Tullamore gathered a total of 293 points. Clara was honoured with an endeavour award in this year's competition. The town got a total of 202 points in this year's Tidy Towns competition, marking an improvement of just over ten per cent on last year. For more on Offaly's 2012 Tidy Towns results see this week's Offaly Independent.