Blackwater are Tidy Towns’ winners again!

By Dan Walsh

Renowned for generations as ‘Beautiful Blackwater’, the characteristic coastal village has retained its title as Co. Wexford’s tidiest village and were rewarded with the Gold Medal at the Supervalu National Tidy Towns 2024 awards presented in Croke Park, Dublin, this morning.

Wexford town were runners-up with Enniscorthy filling third position, both celebrating as recipients of Gold Medals. Gorey and New Ross were both awarded a Bronze Medal. Ballindaggin secured an Endeavour Award.

The official report said; “Blackwater is a very pretty village, and it was your adjudicator’s delight to acquaint themselves with its charms on their first visit.”

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said; “As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide. I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories.

“In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit,” said Minister Humphreys.

Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of Tidy Towns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit. Since 2017, the department has provided almost €11 million in funding to support the activities of these groups.

SUPERVALU TIDY TOWNS 2024 – COUNTY WEXFORD

CATEGORY A; Duncormick 368, Ballyduff 362, Foulksmills 356.

CATEGORY B; Blackwater 383 (County Winner and Gold Medal), Bree 369, Clonroche 363, Kilanerin 357, Kilmuckridge 353, Ballycanew 352, Ballymurn 327, Hollyfort 321, Killanne 321, Askamore 314, Coolgreany 313, Carrig-on-Bannow 300, Ballycullane 396, Bridgetown 394, Courtnacuddy 289, Wellingtonbridge 289, Oylegate 285, Campile 257, Ballindaggin 231 (Endeavour Award), Ramsgrange 220.

CATEGORY C; Rosslare Harbour 364, Rosslare Strand 363, Ferns 356, Bunclody 315.

CATEGORY E; New Ross 361 (Bronze Medal).

CATEGORY F; Enniscorthy 371 (County Third and Gold Medal), Gorey 362 (Bronze Medal).

CATEGORY G; Wexford 375 (County Second and Gold Medal).