Irish Business Against Litter win for Kilkenny City in 2019. Kilkenny is No.1 ahead of Killarney and Swords. Congratulations to all our volunteers and also to Kilkenny Co Co who have worked through out the year to help to achieve this excellent result. Our win is for a record 4th time.
Happy Christmas from Kilkenny
Winter planting and cleanups
This is the time of year for bare root planting of trees and bushes, planting winter bedding plants, being cruel to be kind with the trimming of bushes,moving / dividing plants around, annual cuting of wild flower areas, removing hard to get at blown non biodegradable plastic from under bushes and hedges (it’s about time that 25c is put on every plastic bottle, can , coffee cup etc so that they have a value) and countless other jobs…..
planning the next projects with St Kierans TY tidytowns
River Breagagh runs higher again
cleaning
Planting
New mural with a busy bee
bee friendly whitethorn planting under way ….
winter berries
St Kieran’s Ty students lend a hand!
it goes on ….
Kilkenny wins B of I National Enterprise Town Award 2019
Congratulation to all on the hard work undertaken by the National Enterprise Town Award committee who in turn were supported by many organisations and volunteers from through out our City, this included the Kilkenny PPN (Kilkenny Public Participation Network) and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful.
This is a fantastic achievement for Kilkenny, there were over 70 Communities in the running, Kilkenny were victorious in winning the overall prize at the Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards 2019 including a cash prize of €33,000.
This win is indicative of the hard work and dedication of many businesses and enterprises throughout the city but also our community spirit which is at the heart of everything we do. It is important that local enterprises and community groups are supported in their efforts to create jobs and a sustainable future for their communities.
Pictured representing Kilkenny at the 2019 Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards are Noel Sherry, Mary O’Hanlon, Maurice O’Connor (PPN Secretariat and Community Radio), Deirdre Dunne, Mayor Martin Brett, Marion Acreman, Colette Byrne, Fiona Deegan, Minister John Paul Phelan, John Hurley, Peter Chap Cleere, Cllr Deirdre Cullen, Deirdre Shine, Bank of Ireland, JJ Keyes, Head of Kilkenny, Bank of Ireland
Kilkenny at the south east awards
Congratulations to Terryglass on the wonderful evening which they provided to all of the TidyTowns groups who converged on their beautiful village for the 2019 Southeast Regional Awards.
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful were honoured to have been presented on behalf of Kilkenny City a total of four awards in the 2019 regional awards presentation. Many thanks to all of our volunteers have assisted in achieving such excellent results.
Members of the County Kilkenny delegation at the south-eastern awards 2019
Kilkenny in the Christmas season
After a very busy year ….. time to enjoy and party …. Kilkenny during the long winter evenings!
tree planting – science week
St Kieran’s College Transition year students, KKB and New Orchard Residents took part in the Science week tree planting programme, planting some 500 trees for the environment in Kilkenny City. The trees were donated by Coilte in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland and coordinated by Orla Farrell of the easy treesie Crann project. congratulations to all. maintenance of the newly planted areas will continue in the spring.
Annual Awards 2019 – Results
A large crowd attended the 2019 annual awards ceremony which took place at the Springhill court hotel on the 29th of October 2019.
Ian McCullough Of Birdwatch Kilkenny presented a thought-provoking presentation in relation to biodiversity in our city and recommendations on how to improve planting to be insect and bee friendly.
Set out under our list of the award recipients in the various categories. Congratulations to all.
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful awards 2019 results
Best commercial floral display
Highly commended
Bollard’s, Kieran St.
Kytler’s Inn, Kieran St.
Rafter Dempsey’s, Friary St.
Langton’s, John Street.
Tynan’s Bridge house
Rothe House, Parliament St.
Winner
Hotel Kilkenny
Attractive composition of flowers complementing the well maintained hotel buildings and courtyards
Most improved commercial premises
Highly commended
Aran Bakery, Barrack St.
Crown Hair Salon, Ormonde st.
Mokum Interiors, Dean st.
Winner
The Hungry Moose, John St.,
Upgrading an existing corner building which had been vacant for a number of years with attractive decoration and colourful flowers on an important junction
Best shop front
Highly commended
Murphy Jewellers, High st.,
Maibe Carey, Parliament st.,
Newbridge Silverware, High st.
Winner
Brennan’s Bottling Store, Walkin St.,
Attractive traditional public house on corner site with appropriate signage and eye-catching decoration.
Best shop signage
Highly commended
Little Green Grocer, Parliament st.
Designer Emporium, Kieran st.
Winner
Food For Life, Kieran st.
Well decorated shop premises with attractive signage and complementary art work
Best Kilkenny hospitality
Highly commended
Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford rd.,
Mena House, Castlecomer rd.
Park Villa, Castlecomer rd.
Fanad House, Bennettsbridge rd.
Winner
Hibernian Hotel, Patrick St.
Fine city centre establishment in prominent location with external seating area on the newly revamped Patrick st welcomes visitors to Kilkenny
Best Commercial Centre
Highly commended
IMC Cinema, off Castlecomer rd.
Market Cross Shopping Centre
Winner
Kilkenny Retail & Business Park
The overall area is well presented and maintained with attractive perimeter tree planting and areas of sustainable planting
Awards for evening premises display
Commendation
Paris Texas, High st.
Billy Byrnes 39 John st. Upper
Winner
Bridie’s, 72 John st.
Entrepreneur awards
Kilkenny Boat Tours
Providing a new perspective with their river Nore tours of our City
Kilkenny Segway Tours
Providing city wide electric Segway tours of our City
Special Awards – Hidden gems 2019
St. Mary’s Daycare centre & residential units, Gaol Rd/ Haughney Green
For providing sustainable colour on the street edge.
Fushia House, Waterford rd.
For special effort in providing a colourful display and care of adjacent green spaces
Joanna McLoughlin, Magdalen Court
For special effort in providing a colourful display
38 Abbey sq.
For special effort in providing colourful displays
Mary Jo Gilligan, Tilbury Place
For special effort in reclaiming the street
Joe Carton & Niamh O’Donoghue, John’s Quay
For special effort in providing colourful planting in the city centre
McDonagh Junction shopping centre
For special effort in upgrading presentation
Mother of Fair Love school, James st.
The Tidy towns Judge remarked ”We admired three lovely new trees in the grounds of the Mother of Fair Love school near St Mary’s Cathedral.”
Kilkenny street of the year 2019
Patrick street
This street has really improved over the last number of years. The judges were impressed with the variety of shop types and businesses, the many excellently painted shop fronts and buildings, the range of flowers, planters and the overall impression was very positive. Congratulations to Patrick Street as winner of the 2019 Kilkenny street of the year
Special award 2019
Simon Walton
For his dedication and assistance as City Engineer to Tidy Towns & Kilkenny City over the last number of years
Heroes in our Community Award
Men’s Shed – Good Shepherd centre
“These award are given to those from our community who have shown leadership in their community. It is through their quiet work that many excellent projects are completed throughout Kilkenny city on an ongoing basis. During 2019 they also constructed 3 large owl boxes for KKB which have been erected at sites around Kilkenny city.
Fitzpatrick Perpetual Shield for Community Effort
Home Rule Club
We congratulate the Home Rule Club for their well presented premises on John’s quay on their 125 year anniversary.
The Brendan Lawless Memorial Award
Gardening Staff lead by Katherine Keoghan of Kilkenny Co Co
” This award is for the excellent sustainable gardening and colourful planting undertaken through out our city”
PRIVATE GARDENS 2019
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST PATRICK’S PARISH Area A & B
Siobhan Griffith, Garden Villas
5 Nuncio rd.
Cathleen Ayers, Dean’s Court
Tony Murphy, Rose Hill court
Maureen Scully, St Patrick’s close
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST JOHN’S PARISH Area A
Mary Nolan, Lacken Drive
Liam Kelly, Newpark Lower
Peggy O’Toole, Lacken Drive
Sean & Mairead Delaney, Glenview, Castlecomer road
Terence & Maire Morris, The Weir
Margaret Greene, Glendine Court
Aileen Beirne, Meadow Way
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST JOHN’S PARISH Area B
Larry Murphy, New Orchard
Brendan Burke & Joie Bourke, The Orchard
John Brophy, New Orchard
Turlough O’Dwyer, Rathullard,
Margaret Egan, Pococke Upper
Lintown Gardens
Alison & Niall Brett, Rosedale Garringreen/Whitewood
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST CANICE’S PARISH
Kilsallagh, College Gardens
Patricia Shortall, Riverside Drive
Mary Deevy, Riverside Drive
Breda Slattery, Meadow Hill
Fran Grincell, Talbots Inch
Judy Rhatigan, Riverside Drive
PRIVATE GARDENS HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST MARY’S PARISH
Helen Kavanagh, Dean Kavanagh place
Lucy Talent Upper Walkin Street
Maureen Logan, Dean Kavanagh Place
PRIVATE GARDENS OVERALL 3RD PLACE
Rebecca & Priscilla Byrne, Fatima Place
PRIVATE GARDENS OVERALL 2ND PLACE
Jacinta Brett, Meadow Hill
PRIVATE GARDENS OVERALL WINNER 2019
Liam McCormack, Greenfields Court
Residential estate competition
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST PATRICK’S PARISH (Area A)
Dukesmeadows
Larchfield court
Beech Park
Westfield
Cedarwood Close Loughboy park / Cedarwood Drive/ Cedarwood Avenue/ Cedarwood Crescent/
Marble Crest
ST PATRICK’S PARISH (Area B)
Ashleigh Court
Fiacre’s Place
Mayfield
Edenvale Close
The Paddocks
ST JOHN’S PARISH (Area A)
Richview
Ardilea
De la Salle place
Glendine Heights
ST JOHN’S PARISH (Area B)
The Orchard
Ashfield / Ashfield East
Rathullord
ST CANICE’S PARISH
Talbot’s Inch
Breagagh Court
Riverside drive, Meadow hill, Greenfields road, Loreto Avenue
Broguemakers hill
The Sycamores/Aylesbury
Ayrfield
ST MARY’S PARISH
Rose Hill Court
College Court & Old Callan road
Fr Murphy sq.
Rushbrook
BEST OVERALL RESIDENTIAL ESTATES 2019
Sponsor St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union
Joint runners up smaller residential estates 2019 :
Lacken Drive
New Orchard estate
Winner – Best overall smaller residential estate in Kilkenny 2019
Gallow’s Hill
“the judges were impressed with the care taken by this small community to look after their estate. The small green space is neatly looked after there are attractive ivy covered walls and attractive planting in a mature tree setting. Congratulations to Gallows Hill, on their efforts and the receipt of their overall smaller estate award in 2019“
Joint runners up larger estates 2019 :
Newpark Lower /Upper
Lintown Hall
Winner – Best overall larger residential estate in Kilkenny 2019
Rose Hill (off Kells road)
“The judges were amazed by the extent of work which has been completed over the last number of years to improve this estate. The judges were very impressed by the attractive green spaces, variety of trees, Cootes lane and the green spaces adjacent. The judges found the estate litter free. Congratulations to Rose Hill on their efforts and the receipt of their overall award in 2019“
Kilkenny City wins gold at Tidy towns Awards 2019
Congratulations to Glaslough Co Monaghan on their winning of the overall National Tidy Towns award 2019 with 346. Congratulations also to Terryglass Co Tipperary on their south east Regional Award on 344 points.
Kilkenny City received a total of 342 points, a rise at five points on our 2018 score. We were 2nd under category H large urban centre award.
In addition to receiving the County Award and a Gold medal, Kilkenny City is honoured to have also received a runner-up award under the sustainable development award category for the River Nore walk and also the All Ireland Pollinator Plan local authority pollinator award under the large town category for the south-east of Ireland.
Click here for a link to the Kilkenny city Tidy Towns report for 2019. This is one of the most comprehensive reports received many years for our city. We are currently starting to analyse the report which sets out many helpful comments, recommendations and guidance in relation to the future development of our City.
Enjoy the sunny Autumn days when they come
Still some colour around!
Kilkenny Castle
