Denis Doyle, Vice Chair of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee with Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Donegal County Council, Anne McGowan, Chair of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District, Gerry Burke, President of Rotary Club, Letterkenny and Mary Farrelly, President of the Lyons Club, Letterkenny along with elected members of Donegal County Council and invited guests at the Civic Reception on Monday, December 7 hosted in honour of the Letterkenny Tidy Towns achievement in this years SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition.
Donegal County Council honoured Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee yesterday (Monday) evening at a Civic Reception at the County House, Lifford at 5pm.
This Civic Reception was hosted jointly by Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Municipal District in recognition of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee’s achievement in winning the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition in 2015.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Ciaran Brogan was delighted to be jointly hosting this civic reception saying: “I am delighted to be in a position to honour the men and women who have worked so hard to enhance and improve the appearance of Letterkenny. Letterkenny is our largest town and achieving the accolade of Ireland’s Tidiest Town has instilled a sense of pride not just among the people of Letterkenny but for everyone in the county”.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Mayor of Letterkenny also stated that it was fitting for both the County Council and the Letterkenny Municipal District to recognise the tremendous achievement of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee.
“I think it is particularly fitting for both Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Municipal District to be jointly honouring the hard work and dedication of this committee. Their achievements are outstanding and this success is simply down to the fact that the committee is firmly rooted in the community and has worked tirelessly for many years to keep Letterkenny among the top tidy towns in the country.”
Letterkenny was named best of the 862 towns and villages throughout the country that entered this year’s competition. It was also declared Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre. The town has been entering the competition every year since it began in 1959.
The work was carried out by a Tidy Towns committee of 18, with participants from the Community Employment Scheme, an army of volunteers and Donegal County Council.
What set Letterkenny apart for the judges was its landscaping and treatment of its open spaces which was variously described as outstanding, excellent and magnificent and earned the town 49 marks out of a possible 50.
Chief Executive, Donegal County Council Seamus Neely, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach, Donegal County Council, Anne McGowan, Chair of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee and Denis Doyle, Vice Chair of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee at the Civic Reception on Monday, December 7 to honour the Letterkenny Tidy Towns achievement in this year’s SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition.
Particular praise was reserved for the town’s green areas, but just about everywhere got the gardener’s touch with a remarkable 30,557 summer plants planted in the town centre.
Letterkenny’s success was Co Donegal's eighth time to win the overall award in the competition; the last time was in 1995 when Glenties was named Ireland's tidiest town.
Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee has existed since 1959 and founding member Noel Crossan was present at yesterday evenings event. Other members involved since the 1970s including Benny Sweeney, Tony Murray, Leo Cullen and Nicholas McCormack were also in attendance.
In an emotional address, chair of Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee Anne McGowan acknowledged the wonderful work done by everyone concerned and assured those in attendance that the committee would not be resting on their laurels this year and that they will continue to work in earnest to keep Letterkenny at the top of the list of Ireland’s tidiest towns.
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