Geashill is tops in Tidy Towns

Geashill is Offaly's Tidiest Town.

The village emerged top of Offaly's Tidy Towns list, scoring 332 points.

Awarded a Silver Medal and €700 in cash, Geashill also emerged as the Regional Winner in the All Ireland Pollinator Award.

Geashill Tidy Towns group said they were "absolutely thrilled" to have been awarded the some of the highest marks in the county in the 2018 Supervalu Tidy Towns Awards.

"As well as being first in Offaly, we also received an overall Silver Medal and were the Regional Winner in the All Ireland Pollinator Award.

"Our overall score was up +7 marks from 2017 which is our biggest jump in recent years and our lovely village is now officially among the top 25 towns and villages in Ireland and we can only aim higher next year,” Pat Foley said.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has helped big or small, committee members, all of our volunteers, CES workers, Offaly County Council, local businesses, Geashill NS staff and pupils, our sponsorship partners including Glanbia Tullamore, Topline, Bawnmore Crafts, Bunaterin Nursery, Woodies and to anyone who just picked some litter while out walking or came along to one of our talks.

"We have so many more exciting plans for next year and are looking forward to achieving even more," Pat, who is Vice Chairperson said.

Other high achievers were Tullamore who took home a gold medal award of €900, scoring 327 points, Clonbullogue took home a bronze medal award of €400; and Kinnitty which took home an Endeavour award of €500 for their score of 287, up 10 from last year.

Tullamore Tidy Towns Association said the town has constantly improved in the Tidy Towns competition in recent years due the ongoing commitment from local volunteers, schools, community groups, businesses, local support agencies and the council.

"Tullamore gained 8 hard fought points this year to 327. With some collective forward planning and appropriate resources, Tullamore can achieve a top accolade in this important competition that impacts on all aspects of the community," the report said.