Dunboyne school takes national award at Tidy Towns competition
Trim, the national title winner two years ago, remains at the top of the county’s Tidy Towns table, following a nine-point increase on its 2023 result. Out of a possible 550, the heritage town received 383 points.
Among the features on the town commented on by the judges was the impressive list of some 60 local and national voluntary and state organisations the committee works with; the now completed Trim Library and theatre as an impressive example of combining refurbished older buildings with a new building; and through work with the council, several derelict or vacant sites that have or will come into use again.
Well colour co-ordinated hanging baskets, window boxes and tubs; work on the Trim Sensory Garden refurbishment; the River Walk, Lackanash trailhead and Porchfield enhancements; bug hotels and birdboxes were commended, as was the work of SEC Trim Sustainable Energy Community, activities under sustainability, eco estates, and the elder tree project.
Another previous national winner, Moynalty, retained second place, and took a gold medal on 381 points, up 10, while Batterstown has edged out Athboy for third place in the county, on 372 points, and a bronze medal.
There was consolation for Athboy with a small town award of €1,000 in the midlands east region, holding onto silver medal status.
Other bronze medals were awarded to Dunshaughlin on 363, up nine, and Enfield, on 366, up 10. An endeavour award went to Donore, who increased their marks from 273 to 286. Bettystown won a waters and communities award of €1,000, and Dunboyne Senior National School won both the regional and national Supervalu school awards, €2,000 in total.
Ashbourne made a return to the competition, having taken a break in 2023 while roadworks were ongoing, increasing from 309 points to 319, while Summerhill didn’t enter this year. Johnstown and old Johnstown village, Navan, joined as one entry, up nine with 273 points.
Meath results - Category A: Batterstown 372 (+15); Castletown-Kilpatrick 362 (+12); Dunsany 325 (+7); Category B: Moynalty 381 (+10) Julianstown 355 (+10) Killyon 321 (+7); Kilberry 298 (+10); Kilmessan 297 (+10); Donore 286 (+13); Drumconrath 281 (+11); Kilbride 281 (+11) Mosney 275 (+10); Gormanston 256 (+7); Clonalvy 239 (+9); Category C - Slane 363 (+11); Oldcastle 329 (+11) Ballivor 301(+11); Bettystown 271 (+10); Longwood 268 (+7); Ardcath 248 (+8); Category D - Athboy 371 (+10); Enfield 366 (+10); Stamullen 298 (+8); Duleek 292 (+9); Laytown 288 (+6); Category E - Dunshaughlin 363 (+9); Kells 343 (+8); Dunboyne 340 (+10); Category F - Trim 383 (+9); Ratoath 344 (+10); Johnstown 273 (+9); Category G - Ashbourne 319 (+10).