A long memory is not required to recall when, as the people of Leighlinbridge put it, the village was "in the doldrums".
By-passed by the main Dublin-Kilkenny road, the Carlow village had a rich heritage and a scenic riverside setting, but little else going for it. It was, says local businesswoman Rachel Doyle, "a sleepy little village".
Thanks largely to the work of a spirited group of people who formed an improvement group, Leighlinbridge is a village re-born.
The transformation received official recognition last year when it won the Carlow section of the tidy towns' competition for the first time along with a number of other environmental awards.
Not content with local success, the village is now planning for international recognition and will represent Ireland, along with Killarney, in the prestigious Entente Florale competition this year.
Judges from the nine other participating countries will visit Leighlinbridge in July to view the fruits of several years' work, culminating last year in a millennium garden on the formerly desolate Ballyknockan hill.
Designed by Ms Doyle, who runs a local garden centre, the site has seven themed gardens and its creation was the result of months of voluntary effort. It was funded by local sponsors as well as Carlow County Council and the National Millennium Committee.
Other works carried out include the paving of an area by the Barrow, the planting of trees on the Carlow road and the erection of "old world lights" on the bridge spanning the river, says Ms Ella McGuinn, secretary of the group.
Combined with its narrow, winding streets, limestone malthouses and a ruined castle overlooking the 14th century bridge, the improvements have made the village a most appealing one in which to live or to visit.
Locals, however, have been careful to avoid "prettifying" the place, says Ms McGuinn, and projects are approached with sensitivity to the living environment. After years of going about its business quietly, 2000 was the year when Leighlinbridge suddenly became noticed. As well as the tidy towns' victory, it was overall winner of the national millennium green town award, took first place in the annual Barrow Award presented by the South East Regional Tourism Authority, was first in the Carlow floral pride competition and second in the Carlow County Council cathaoirleach's environmental awards.
Yet much work remains to be done before the July visit by the Entente Florale judges. A flower festival, depicting the village's association with historic characters such as local man Myles Keogh, who died at the Battle of Little Big Horn, is one of many projects being organised to coincide with the event.
Skerries and, last year, Clonakilty have been the only Irish towns to take top prize in the competition, but now it has come out of its shell, Leighlinbridge is not settling for less. "We're going for gold," says Ms Doyle.