Ennis puts success down to shared responsibility and is going Dutch

For members of Ennis Tidy Towns Committee in Co Clare, yesterday's win was but a dress rehearsal for the international Entente Florale competition finals to be held in The Netherlands next weekend.

The town, which yesterday emerged with the title of Ireland's Tidiest Large Town, is one of just two Irish towns to represent the Republic in the Entente, and locals were hoping yesterday that by next weekend the name of Ennis would be firmly on European, as well as local, tourist maps.

Having picked up three medals in the Irish competition - a regional, a county and a gold - the committee was yesterday happily looking forward to the international event.

"We are all going to the finals near Amsterdam next weekend, and whatever the outcome it will be great fun," said committee chairman Mr Donal Griffin.

Asked if the committee worked particularly hard this year, Mr Griffin said the members had met once a week between June and August. He attributed their success to devolving responsibility to a number of wider community groups.

He said the committee had harnessed the efforts of the local Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the local community in its effort.

"There were also a number of sub-groups and a task force."

He said schools, residential areas, business areas and gardens were all brought into the competition through individual committee members taking responsibility for promoting the competition to neighbours, colleagues and friends.

Additional encouragement was geared towards shopfronts and civic awards were instigated to foster a sense of pride.

Meanwhile, the committee in Lismore, Co Waterford, said it wasn't at all put out that it lost the national title by just one point. Securing the title of Tidiest Small Town was, according to committee secretary Ms Mary O'Brien, "a fantastic boost".

Litter and flower beds had comprised much of their attention, with the committee meeting just once a month, but having a roster setting out who would turn out for duty. Unlike Castletown, the committee felt most of the litter generated was of local origin, but Ms O'Brien insisted that "90 per cent of the locals are right behind us".

For committee member Mr Pat Flemming yesterday's win was especially welcome. He has lived in Lismore for the past 52 years, much of it spent keeping the town tidy.

MEDAL WINNERS

Gold Medal Winners

Category A

Keadue 266

Rathbarry 266

Newtowncashel 265

Category B

Castletown-Laois 267

Category C

Lismore 266

Kenmare 265

Category D

Clonakilty 265

Westport 265

Category E

Killarney 260

Category F

Ennis 263

Silver Medal Winners

Category A

Eyeries 263

Ardagh 262

Mountshannon 261

Category B

Leighlinbridge 263

Stradbally - Waterford 263

Category C

Aughrim 263

Category D

Kinsale 262

Category F

Kilkenny 259

Bronze Medal Winners

Category A

Terryglass 259

Dromod 258

Moynalty 256

Clonegal 255

Category B

Malin 259

Galbally 257

Tallanstown 255

Category C

Glenties 260

Adare 258

Category E

Skerries 250

Category F

Letterkenny 253

Malahide 253