By Dan Walsh
Beautiful Blackwater has been Wexford’s tidiest town so many times that the records have been lost? Well, my research failed to get a total since they first dominated the title in the mid-1960s.
Blackwater retained the ‘Tidiest Town’ title in Wexford at last Friday’s Croke Park ceremony, earning 394 points -11 more than last year -thanks to the ongoing efforts of local volunteers. Amazing consistency and dedication rewarded.
The Adjudicator’s Report states; “It was a privilege to visit Blackwater for the second-round adjudication for the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition 2025. What a superb village Blackwater is and it is evident there is a strong Tidy Towns team of members and volunteers caring for Blackwater.
“This was happening before my eyes on arrival, seeing the volunteers and village people who were out tidying, tending to and caring for the village streets and plantings. There were also holiday makers and visitors enjoying the uniqueness and charm that Blackwater has to offer.
“Blackwater is set in a natural beautiful location with surrounding small green hills and the pleasantness and the freshness of the sea air from the nearby beach.
“You are a highly motivated village, and this can also be seen with the signs and plaques that adorn the village with your past achievements.
“You get a lot of support from the County Council and other public bodies you work with, along with the various businesses within and connected to the village. As a community, you engage and partner with your school and with your transition year students, who by their participation, receive a wonderful education in aspects of Citizen Science and Environmental Awareness.
“You have unique heritage, traditional buildings and bridges that adorn your village and with a great effort by many people to keep them in good repair, whilst respecting their architecture. There are charming, thatched cottages and beautifully faced stone work on some of the homes in the village. Blackwater Lodge looks very appetising, and Saucer’s Bar looks very tempting with its eccentric colourful painting.
“The village is very tidy and well cared for. The recycling area is in good order with clean facilities in use, with the green roof an added feature. A discreet little information sign on this feature could be considered. However, some light littering in the recycling area was observed.
“The visit to Blackwater was very pleasant and enjoyable. As an organisation you are doing magnificent work for Blackwater maintaining it as a premier category Tidy Town for the benefit of all,” concluded the Report.
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