Congratulations to all of the commercial and special category winners, under is a selection of photographs for 2017
Category Archives: Competitions
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful awards 2017
There was a large attendance at the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful awards 2017 took place on the 7th November.
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful awards 2017 results
Best commercial floral display
Highly commended
O’Lanagain, Rose Inn St.
Rafter Dempsey’s, Friary St.
Rothe House Parliament St.
Winner
Bollard’s public house, Kieran St.
Flowering baskets and attractive seating area
Most improved commercial premises
Highly commended
Mullen’s Butchers, Friary St.
Cake face, Irishtown
Glanbia House, Ring road, Kilkenny
Winner
Kilkenny Inn Hotel, Vicar St.
Nice new outside seating area complemented with colourful planting
Best shop front
Highly commended
D&R Antiques, Rose Inn St.
Langton’s Hotel, John St.
Winner
The Dylan, John St.
Red painted traditional shop front with hanging baskets
Best shop signage
Highly commended
Glendine Inn, Castlecomer Rd.
Kilkenny Crafts, Rose Inn St.
Winner
The Butterslip shop, Rose Inn St. / Kieran St.
Attractive painted shop front and window display.
Best Kilkenny Hospitality
Fanad House, Bennettsbridge Rd.,
Hibernian Hotel, Patrick St.,
Winner
Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Rd.,
Attractive outside seating area with attractive floral displays
Best Commercial centre
Highly commended
Newpark shopping centre
Market Cross shopping centre
McDonald’s, Hebron Rd.,
McDonagh Junction shopping centre.
Winner
Aldi Waterford rd.,
Imaginative planting following their recent upgrade, the national tidy towns adjudicator also noted “we were most impressed by the planting scheme at and adjacent to Aldi, the judge also said that this is the best supermarket planting we personally have seen”
Commendation For evening shop displays,
Presenting attractive shop front display in the evening.
Gift Horse, Rose Inn St.
Goods, High St.
Heroes in our Community Award
Frank Blanch
Regular Clean ups in the Loughboy area
Cathleen Seaver
Regular Clean ups in the Waterford rd. area.
The Brendan Lawless Memorial Award
Medieval Mile Museum, Mary’s Lane,
” This award is for the attractive restoration of St Mary’s church as the Medieval Mile Museum. The national tidy towns judge stated in the 2017 adjudication report “You have a fantastic built environment which you take care of very well. Your Medieval Mile is looking splendid…. We loved the work carried out to St. Mary’s in true conservation manner and housing all those wonderful artefacts, heretofore hidden in storage, and putting them on display for the public to see is excellent. “
Hidden gems award
Andrea O’Farrell, Tilbury place,
The judges were impressed with this little gem. Making great use of a very small front yard area and bringing life to the laneway. There are fruit plants, flowers, seating area, clothes line, seat, place for bins and toys.
Rinuccini’s, The Parade
For creative vegetable garden behind the railings to front of building.
Tourist hostel, Parliament street
The vertical wall of colour produced on this narrow frontage impressed the judges, the planting is updated during the year and gives a colourful welcome to passers-by and visitors to the Hostel
Hall of Fame Award
Elaine Bradshaw
This hall of Fame award is awarded in recognition of the contribution of a citizen who has selflessly given of her time and effort for the betterment of Kilkenny City and the Tidy Towns movement over many years. Always involved, meeting, greeting, coaxing and cajoling, seeking to get the best for Kilkenny City, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful are honoured to present this year’s award to Elaine Bradshaw.
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST CANICE’S PARISH
Ber Brennan, Parkview Freshford Rd.
Breda Slattery, Meadow Hill
Pat Shortall, Riverside Drive
Martin Cleere, Connolly St.
Nuala Crotty, Dun Angus, Castlecomer Road
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST JOHN’S PARISH
Nuala Byrne, Rosemount, Newpark Drive
Canice and Maura Hickey, Newpark
Mary Nolan, Lacken Drive
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST MARY’S PARISH
Pauleen Phelan, Dean Kavanagh Place
Maureen Logan, Dean Kavanagh Place
Teresa and Noel Devlin, Circular road
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST PATRICK’S PARISH
Ann Mullhall, Noremount
Edward Bourke, Cypress Avenue
Caroline & Noel Carroll, Hazel Grove
Mary and John Cahill, Westfield
Joan Murray, Fr. Hayden road
CITY- BEST OVERALL PRIVATE GARDEN 2016
Runners up
Mary Deevy, Riverside Drive
Joan O’Sullivan, Riverview
BEST OVERALL PRIVATE GARDEN 2017
Winner
Toni Hayes, Glendine Heights
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST PATRICK’S PARISH
Dukesmeadows
Edenvale Close
Marble Crest
Gallows Hill
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST CANICE’S PARISH
Broguemaker’s Hill
Sycamores/Aylesbury
Talbots Inch
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST JOHN’S PARISH
Lacken Drive
Newpark Lawn
Richview
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST MARY’S PARISH
Rose Hill Court
Old Callan road
BEST OVERALL RESIDENTIAL ESTATES 2017
2017 Smaller estate
Beech Park
“the judges were impressed with the care taken by this small community to look after their estate. The small green space at the rear is neatly looked after with colourful flowers at the base of the trees. The 2017 national tidy towns adjudication report also noted the estate and in particular mentioned the rose planting at the entrance ”… The lovely rose bed at the entrance to the Tennis club was admired” .. Congratulations to Beech Park, on their efforts and the receipt of their overall award in 2017 “
2017 Larger estate
Lakeside
“the judges were amazed by the extent of work which has been completed over the last number of years to improve this large estate. The judges were very impressed by the lake and all of the wildlife, the fruit trees, wild flower planting, colourful flower area and also the composting area. The judges found the estate litter free. Congratulations to Lakeside on their efforts and the receipt of their overall award in 2017 “
Kilkenny city excels in the 2017 tidy towns competition
Again another excellent result Kilkenny city just two points behind the overall winner Birdhill and reaching a mark of 330 and increase of 5 points from 2016.
Kilkenny also retained the gold medal which has been given to confirm excellence within our city. Kilkenny is in the top seven in the country, congratulations to all in our city have work to achieve this great result.
Kilkenny City Adjudicators report 2017
Busy Thursday Market on the Parade
Sign of the times
Tidy Towns approach signage at each of our main entry roads.
IBAL results for 2016 announced
The Irish Business Against Litter results for 2016 were announced.
Kilkenny City has been a three times in a row winner in the past and again in 2016 has achieved excellence with the top level of ” cleaner than European norms”.
Kilkenny County Hall with new sustainable low energy lighting scheme.
Annual KKB awards 2016 announced
The annual KKB awards ceremony took place at Langton’s Hotel, the main results were as follows:
Best Commercial floral display
Highly Commended:
Rafter Dempsey’s, Friary Street
McCreery Auctioneers, Parliament st
D&R Antiques, Rose Inn Street
Winner
O’Lanagain, Rose Inn street 
Most Improved Commercial Premises
Highly Commended:
Fish Face, Upper Patrick street
Maibe Carey, Parliament st
Café 22, Rose Inn Street
Winner
Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford rd
Best Shop Front
Highly Commended:
Marble City Barbers, John Street.
Mr. Simms Sweet Shoppe, Market Cross
Marble City Bar, High Street
Winner –
Syd Harkins, Rose Inn Street.
Best Shop Signage
Commended:
Langton’s, John Street
Kilkenny Academy of Music, Ormonde Rd
Shortis Wong, John Street
Winner –
Matt the Millers, John St/John’s Quay
Best Kilkenny Hospitality Display
Commended:
Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer rd.,
Park Villa B+B, Castlecomer Rd.
Winner
Fanad House, Bennettsbridge 
Road
Best Commercial Centre
Commended: Market Cross Shopping Centre
Winner McDonagh junction, Shopping centre
Heroes in our Community Award
Pat Boyd Environmental improvement
Sr. Noreen Troy’s Court
Michael Henebry Environmental improvement De La Salle
Fitzpatrick Perpetual Shield for Community Effort
St John’s Priory 
The Brendan Lawless Memorial Award
Commendation: St Fiacre’s gardens St. Patrick’s parish 
Winner: Troys Court 
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Gems Award
Timothey Clifford , Lord Edward street
Dave Ryan, New Building lane
Glendine heights Mr Tree!! (resident association)
Paul Byrne, Rosewood Residence
Catherine Kimmins, Poyntz lane
Ena Duffy, Fr Delahunty Terrace.
Hall of Fame Award
Sean Leahy
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST CANICE’S PARISH
Kieran Phelan, Connolly st.
Martin Cleere Connolly street
Linda Phelan, Pearse st
Sadhbh O’Neill, Talbots Inch
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST JOHN’S PARISH
Sean and Mairead Delaney, Glenview Castlecomer rd
Inara Saroka, Ossory Park
Katherine Duffe, Glendine Heights
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST MARY’S PARISH
Joan Campion, Old Callan rd
Brigit Breen, Dean Kavanagh place
Maureen Logan, Dean Kavanagh place
Eileen Tynan, Old Callan road
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED ST PATRICK’S PARISH
Madeleine O’Neill, Elm Green
Susan and Seamus Butler, Dukesmeadows Ave., Bennettsbridge Rd
Linda Sweeney, Haltigan Terrace
Michael & Michele Kealy, Mikaela, Maiden Hill
CITY- BEST OVERALL PRIVATE GARDEN 2016 Runners up
Caroline Grincell Talbots Inch
Toni Hayes Glendine Heights
Helen Devlin, Cedarwood Drive 
BEST OVERALL PRIVATE GARDEN 2016
Marian Finlay, Killsallagh, College Gardens
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST PATRICK’S PARISH
Cedarwood drive,
Ardnore,
Melville, Bennettsbridge road.
Dukesmeadows,
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST CANICE’S PARISH
Talbots inch 
Riverside Drive
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST JOHN’S PARISH
O’Loughlin Road
Lakeside
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED ST MARY’S PARISH
Fr Murphy square
Fatima Place
BEST OVERALL RESIDENTIAL ESTATE 2016
Smaller estate
de la Salle Place
Larger estate
Ardilea 
Parish award
St Patrick’s Parish
Kilkenny City retains Tidytowns gold medal for 2016
Congratulations to the National overall winner Skerries, County Dublin who received 327 points.
Kilkenny City has retained their gold medal in the 2016 Tidy towns competition. The Judges awarded 325 marks, an increase of four marks on our 2015 result. This is just two points short of the overall winner. Click the link under to see the full Adjudication report. adjudication-report-2016-kilkenny-city
KKB chairman Peter Bluett expressed great satisfaction with the results. Kilkenny City points increased in four categories. ( Community Involvement & Planning, Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities, Sustainable Waste and Resource Management, Tidiness and Litter Control)
This excellent result places Kilkenny within the top 5 of the competition.
This reflects the tremendous ongoing cooperation which takes place in Kilkenny City between community groups, residents, businesses and Kilkenny County Council.
KKB Members at the Helix following the results announcement.C
Kilkenny achieves No1 in the IBAL survey 2016
Kilkenny’s position as Ireland’s tidiest town has been further confirmed in the 2016 IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) survey which has been just released. Kilkenny has achieved No1 in the latest survey with Enniscorthy and Kildare receiving joint second.
The result reflects the hard work being undertaken by all our our Community in Keeping Kilkenny Beautiful.
Kilkenny: 1st out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Yet another success for Kilkenny with nine out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. What sets Kilkenny and other very high scoring towns apart is not just the lack of litter but the care and attention in the presentation of the environment. Kilkenny even has an example of a vacant building on Tholand Street which, although vacant, was still carefully presented. Other examples of very good sites were Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior), Riverbank and Market Cross Shopping Centre.
Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an excellent site. Abundant flowering at the bottom of the steps and wheelchair ramp are a lovely feature. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good order and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.
Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of the station was pristine. The seating, bins, plants and hanging baskets etc. were all in excellent order. The walls were adorned with plenty of sepia photographs, a nice touch to the station interior.
John Street: Grade A. This shopping street made the top litter grade, but only just. The general presentation was good with attractive paving, hanging baskets and shop fronts.
St. John’s Junior School: Grade A. A neat and clean environment which was well presented and maintained. No major litter issues to report.
River Bank: Grade A. This was a lovely setting which has been very carefully maintained. The lawns running down to the riverbank were immaculately cut and abundant flower boxes lined some stretches of the river. The whole area surveyed was spotless throughout.
Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This is a town centre shopping centre – between High Street and James’s Street. Like so many other features in Kilkenny it has been very attractively laid out with paving, seating, plants etc. all contributing to the overall appearance. It was free of litter throughout.
Vacant Building beside Tholand: Grade A. The street level of this building has been covered in newspapers. While unoccupied, it was neat and clean and located beside some more wonderful flower boxes and hanging baskets which added a nice splash of colour.
Bottle Bank: Grade B. (beside ESB substation / box) On first impression all appeared in good order at this small bottle bank facility. The bins themselves were generally clean and the front was mostly clear of litter. However, the area to the rear of the bins had a definite litter presence – cans, fast-food wrappers and glass bottles were the most prevalent types of litter found.
N77 Durrow Approach Road: Grade A. This was an excellent route in and out of Kilkenny. The road surface, signage and markings were in good order and the cycle paths and grass areas to the side of the road were well maintained – a top ranking site throughout.
N10 Carlow – Kilkenny Connecting Road: Grade A. All appeared in very good order along this route – the overall impression was of a well planned and executed route which was fresh, clean and tidy.
The Worlds End Bar on John street
St Canice’s Credit Union supports Tidy Towns
Congratulations to St. Canice’s Credit Union for supporting the Tidy Towns effort. This year they are main sponsors of the KKB Annual Awards 2016 which will take place in October 2016.
KKB officially receive St. Canice’s Credit Union Sponsorship.
Congratulations to Letterkenny !
The sun shone and the town was blooming as president Higgins formally presented Letterkenny with the overall National Tidy towns Award 2015. KKB members attended and represented Kilkenny City at the event.
President Higgins speaks to all at the event.
Official unveiling of National Award plaque
Some of the large crowd at the event enjoying the warm weather.
