Moynalty named Best-Kept Town on island of Ireland

Moynalty is Ireland's Best-Kept Town! The Meath village has beaten competition from towns, villages and cities, both north and south of the border, to win the prestigious title, which was announced yesterday (Tuesday) at an awards ceremony at Farmleigh House. Ireland's Best-Kept Town competition picks their winners from the top competitors in both the National Tidy Towns competition and the Best Kept Towns competitions in Northern Ireland. A large contingent from Moynalty travelled to Dublin yesterday to hear Minister Fergus O'Dowd announce Moynalty as the overall winner of the competition for 2011. Moynalty also won the Best Kept Village category. Lismore, Co Waterford, won the Best Kept Small Town category, while Cookstown, Co Tyrone, won the Best Kept Large Town category. Coleraine, Co Derry, was named the Best Kept Large Urban Centre. Junior Minister at the Dept of the Environment Fergus O'Dowd paid tribute to the winners. "Congratulations to all four winners, and in particular to Moynalty for winning the overall title. Congratulations also to the other towns and villages nominated for the awards. Being nominated for the awards represents an achievement in itself, and is reward for your efforts in the Tidy Towns and Best Kept competitions. These competitions continue to demonstrate the great pride that people have in their communities north and south of the border." Ireland's Best Kept Towns competition has been running since 1995. It is a joint initiative of the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council.