Ardmore has been named among the contenders for Ireland’s Greenest Town or Village in 2026.

The West Waterford village is one of five places to make the long-list in the category as part of Ireland’s Greenest Places, an initiative run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland.

Ardmore will compete alongside Kinsale in Cork, Cloughjordan in Tipperary, and Louisburgh and Clogher in Mayo.

Almost 90 nominations were submitted from across the country, with 23 places, projects and people ultimately selected for the competition’s long-list.

Ardmore’s Green Efforts

A number of environmental projects and community groups were highlighted as part of Ardmore’s nomination.

Solar panels have been installed at St Declan’s GAA Club, Ardmore National School, Grange National School and Ardmore Community Hall.

The village is also a Sustainable Energy Community and has completed an SEAI-funded community energy audit, while biodiversity initiatives have included wildflower planting and the creation of pollinator-friendly spaces.

Goats are also being used for conservation grazing along the Ardmore Cliff Walk to manage vegetation and help restore habitats without relying on machinery or chemicals.

Local volunteers have harvested wild grass seed to restore a neglected graveyard, alongside ongoing community clean-ups, tree planting and habitat restoration.

Henry Murphy, who submitted the pitch for Ardmore, said collaboration between local organisations has been central to the village’s efforts.

‘Together, these initiatives demonstrate that sustainability is not a single project but a shared commitment,’ he said.

‘Ardmore’s volunteers continue to show how a small rural community can lead by example – protecting biodiversity, embracing renewable energy and creating a greener, healthier and more resilient future for everyone.’

The shortlist for Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026 is due to be announced later this month, with category winners and the overall winner to be revealed in early October.