Broughshane is named as ‘Ireland’s best small town’

The competition brought together the top Northern Ireland towns from last year’s SuperValu Best Kept Awards and their counterparts from the Tidy Towns initiative in the South.

Broughshane took the Small Town award from a shortlist that included Adare, Co Limerick; Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim and our own Co Antrim town of Ballycastle.

Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC), organisers of the SuperValu Best Kept Town awards in Northern Ireland said; “The towns competing in this year’s contest were successful in the North’s 2011 SuperValu Best Kept Awards and Tidy Towns competition in the South, but the all-Ireland awards are ultimate prize. The judges have an unenviable task comparing the most attractive towns and villages across Ireland, but they always find there is a good humoured spirit of competition among the finalists.” She added; “We are delighted that Broughshane and Coleraine have been successful in this year’s awards. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Mr Leo O’Reilly, Permanent Secretary, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland speaking at the event said: “This prestigious competition proves that the environment really does matter to local communities. Best Kept encourages a sense of civic pride and of wellbeing and is unique because it unites all members of a community with a common purpose. Those communities who have taken part want their towns and villages to be clean, safe and healthy places in which to live and for tourists to visit. Standards continue to rise beyond all expectations and unfortunately not everyone can win an award.” He congratulated those who won the coveted titles and paid tribute to those who have yet to win and commented; “I hope that other communities will follow your example and work towards a cleaner and safer environment for all.”

Rita McNulty, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in the south paid tribute to each of the category winners and also to the other towns that had been nominated for awards. She said; “Congratulations to all of the winners, and in particular to Eyeries for winning the overall title.

“Congratulations also to the other towns and villages nominated for today’s 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, and the hard work carried out by the volunteer committees. Well done for your efforts and hard work, and I’m sure that you have great joy and pride in being here today.”

SuperValu Marketing Manager Briege McGinty said: “SuperValu has been proud sponsor of the Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competition since it was established, and has also supported the North’s Best Kept Awards and Tidy Towns in the South over the long-term. We do this as part of a varied community involvement initiative which aims to support local communities where SuperValu retailers trade.

“The independently owned SuperValu outlets across the island of Ireland operate at the heart of local towns and villages and retailers are keen to support the awards, because they believe it makes a real difference to the well-being of their communities and the environment. On behalf of all of our SuperValu retail partners I’d like to congratulate the winners on demonstrating their impressive pride of place and a commitment to making their towns and villages great places to live and visit.”