Waterford communities have once again demonstrated outstanding pride and commitment in this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns competition, with towns and villages across the county receiving national recognition for their dedication to sustainability, biodiversity and community spirit.
At the national awards ceremony in Croke Park today (Friday, 24th October), Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2025. Over 600 volunteers attended the event, with hundreds more joining online, celebrating what has become the largest year in the competition’s 67-year history with a record 929 entries nationwide.
Waterford performed exceptionally well, achieving multiple Gold Medals and County Awards. Ardmore (Ard Mhór) was named County First and received a Gold Medal, closely followed by Stradbally (An tSráidbhaile) in County Second, also with a Gold Medal. Lismore (Liosmór Mochuda) took County Third and earned a further Gold Medal, while Dungarvan (Dún Garbhán) and Ballymacarbry (Baile Mhic Cairbre) also brought home Gold. Tramore (Trá Mhór) was awarded a Bronze Medal, and Dunhill (Dún Aill) was presented with the Endeavour Award for their efforts. These results reflect the remarkable consistency and quality of Waterford’s TidyTowns network, which continues to strengthen year after year.
Waterford also featured prominently in several special national awards. St. Declan’s National School in Ardmore won the South East Regional Prize in the SuperValu Tiny TidyTowns Schools Award, recognising the school’s outstanding work in encouraging environmental awareness and local pride among students. In addition, Ardmore TidyTowns was named South East Regional Winner in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Local Authority Pollinator Award, sponsored by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, for its exceptional efforts in protecting and supporting pollinators and biodiversity. Clashmore TidyTowns received a Regional Runner-Up Award in the Waters and Communities category, recognising its innovative local initiatives to enhance the water environment and community spaces.
Announcing the national results, Minister Calleary paid tribute to all the volunteers involved, saying that communities such as those in Waterford embody the very essence of the TidyTowns movement. “Waterford’s towns and villages have shown again what community spirit can achieve. From Ardmore to Dungarvan and from Stradbally to Lismore, these results reflect years of consistent effort, care for the environment and pride of place,” he said. “I want to pay tribute to every volunteer, school and local committee for their hard work in making their communities beautiful, sustainable and welcoming places to live and visit.”
At the ceremony, the Minister also announced €1.5 million in grant aid for almost 1,000 TidyTowns groups nationwide, bringing total Department funding since 2017 to more than €12 million in support of local community and environmental projects.
Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu, congratulated the Waterford groups and praised their continued leadership in sustainability. “Communities like those in Waterford represent the very best of what TidyTowns stands for — pride, sustainability and collaboration. The achievements of towns such as Ardmore, Dungarvan and Lismore are a testament to what can happen when volunteers come together to improve their local environment,” he said.
Waterford’s impressive showing at the 2025 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards highlights the extraordinary dedication of its volunteers, schools and local committees. With multiple Gold Medals, special national awards and strong performances across all categories, Waterford continues to shine as a model of community spirit, environmental care and local pride.
Full results from the 2025 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards are available at www.tidytowns.ie and www.supervalu.ie.
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