Preasráiteas: Fógraíonn an tAire Calleary gurb é Buaile na hAbhann, Co. na hIarmhí, an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn do 2026
Press Release
Friday, 23 October 2026
Minister Calleary announces Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026
- Ballinahown in Co. Westmeath named Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Village; Carraig Airt, Co. Donegal wins the Gaeltacht Award
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Friday, 23October) announced Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026.
Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin. The annual event was also livestreamed to large online audience.
This year 936 towns were competing for the prestigious awards, demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition which has been running since 1958. This is the highest number of entries ever received in the competition’s history and shows the competition’s reach within communities across the country.
Minister Calleary announced Ballinahown Co. Westmeath as Ireland’s Tidiest Town as well as Ireland’s Tidiest Village.
Minister Calleary also presented the Gaeltacht Award today to Carraig Airt, Co. Donegal.
Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer TD, presented the Young Persons in TidyTowns award to Dromiskin, Co. Louth.
Announcing Ballinahown as the overall winner, Minister Calleary said:
“I offer my heartiest congratulations to Balliahown and its TidyTowns volunteers for becoming Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026.
“This is a wonderful achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballinahown and indeed the wider county of Westmeath.
“Having consistently entered the competition over the last 40 years and winning the title of Ireland’s Tidiest Village in 2024, Ballinahown have finally achieved their goal of winning the competition outright. This achievement today continues to showcase all that is good about resilience, innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is even more impressive given the fantastic results the village has achieved over the last 3 years with a population of just 160 people. This dedication is at the core of what the competition is all about.”
The Minister continued:
“I want to congratulate all the winners today. The standard of competition was exceptionally high this year in all categories, with a record 936 entries received overall from 1,000 active groups nationwide.
“In particular, I recognise the vital role of TidyTowns volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit. The passion and dedication of these volunteers is the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities.
“Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. The impact of the Supervalu TidyTowns competition is clear to see, particularly in fostering inclusion, sustainability and community engagement.”
The main category winners announced today are:
- Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Village.
- Abbeyleix, Co. Laois awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town.
- Buncrana, Co. Donegal awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
- Tralee, Co. Kerry awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.
SuperValu has been the competition’s main sponsor since 1991, and today, Margaret Barron, Chief Marketing Officer at Musgrave, announced the results with Minister Calleary.
The Minister also thanked SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor, adding:
“SuperValu has sponsored the competition for 35 years and continues to champion sustainability through their supportive network of retailers countrywide. The team has worked very closely with my department to make sure that this competition continues to thrive. Many Tidy Towns groups have entered the competition consecutively for over 60 years – demonstrating a great example of dedication to their communities.”
Margaret Barron, Chief Marketing Officer at Musgrave commented after the awards:
“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Ballinahown on being named Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, passion and commitment of the committee and volunteers. The award is not only a recognition of their tremendous efforts, but also a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared sense of pride and a commitment to making a lasting, positive difference to their local area.
“At SuperValu, we continue to be inspired by the phenomenal pride and dedication of more than 31,000 volunteers across 936 committees, who together have given over one million hours to their communities this year alone. Our research shows that over 70% of groups have been active for more than 10 years, demonstrating a remarkable legacy of commitment and civic engagement. Perhaps most striking is the intergenerational reach of the TidyTowns initiative. This year, one third of volunteers were under 45, with 11% being under 14, demonstrating that everyone has a stake in the place where they live and can play a role in making their community a better place to work, live and play.”
Margaret Barron, Chief Marketing Officer at Musgrave continued:
“I also want to acknowledge the Department’s continued dedication and commitment to the programme, and the important role that our strong partnership has played in its success. Finally, I’d like to highlight the unwavering commitment of volunteers and our independent retailers, who consistently go above and beyond for their local areas to create real lasting change, transforming our streets and protecting biodiversity. To all those who have contributed this year, thank you for your outstanding efforts, you are the driving force behind this initiative.”
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and sponsored by SuperValu who have sponsored the competition since 1991.
Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie and at www.supervalu.ie
Preasráiteas
Dé hAoine, an 23 Deireadh Fómhair 2026
Fógraíonn an tAire Calleary gurb é Buaile na hAbhann,
Co. na hIarmhí, an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn do 2026
- Ainmníodh Buaile na hAbhann, Co. na hIarmhí, mar an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn agus mar bhuaiteoir foriomlán an Sráidbhaile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn; bhuaigh Carraig Airt, Co. Dhún na nGall, Gradam na Gaeltachta
Inniu, Dé hAoine, an 23 Deireadh Fómhair, d’fhógair an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, gurb é Buaile na hAbhann, Co. na hIarmhí, an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn do 2026.
Bhí breis agus 600 oibrí deonach de chuid na mBailte Slachtmhara i láthair ag searmanas bronnta Bhailte Slachtmhara SuperValu i bPáirc an Chrócaigh i mBaile Átha Cliath. Craoladh an ócáid bhliantúil beo ar líne freisin do lucht féachana mór.
I mbliana, bhí 936 baile san iomaíocht do na duaiseanna mór le rá seo, rud a léiríonn an spéis mhór náisiúnta atá fós ann i gcomórtas Bhailte Slachtmhara SuperValu, comórtas atá ar siúl ó 1958 i leith. Is é seo an líon is airde iontrálacha a fuarthas riamh i stair an chomórtais, rud a léiríonn an tionchar atá ag an gcomórtas ar phobail ar fud na tíre.
D’fhógair an tAire Calleary gurb é Buaile na hAbhann, Co. na hIarmhí, an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn, chomh maith leis an Sráidbhaile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn.
Chomh maith leis sin, bhronn an tAire Calleary Gradam na Gaeltachta ar Charraig Airt, Co. Dhún na nGall inniu.
Bhronn an tAire Stáit sa Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Jerry Buttimer TD, Gradam na nÓg ar Dhroim Ineasclainn, Co. Lú.
Agus é ag fógairt gurb é Buaile na hAbhann an buaiteoir foriomlán, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Gabhaim comhghairdeas ó chroí le Buaile na hAbhann agus le hoibrithe deonacha an tsráidbhaile as an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn a bhaint amach do bhliain 2026.
“Is éacht iontach é seo agus tráth speisialta a chothaíonn mórtas mór i measc mhuintir Bhuaile na hAbhann, agus i gcontae na hIarmhí i gcoitinne chomh maith.
“Tar éis dóibh páirt a ghlacadh sa chomórtas go rialta le 40 bliain anuas, agus an sráidbhaile is slachtmhaire in Éirinn a bhaint amach in 2024, tá an sprioc a bhí acu — an comórtas iomlán a bhuachan — bainte amach faoi dheireadh ag Buaile na hAbhann. Léiríonn an t-éacht seo inniu na tréithe is fearr a bhaineann le hacmhainneacht, nuálaíocht, inbhuanaitheacht, spiorad pobail agus obair dheonach. Tá sé seo níos suntasaí fós nuair a chuirtear san áireamh na torthaí den scoth atá bainte amach ag an sráidbhaile le trí bliana anuas, in ainneoin nach bhfuil ach 160 duine ina gcónaí ann. Is é an tiomantas seo croí agus bunús an chomórtais féin.”
Ar an dara dul síos, dúirt an tAire:
“Déanaim comhghairdeas leis na buaiteoirí go léir inniu. Bhí caighdeán an chomórtais thar a bheith ard i mbliana i ngach catagóir; fuarthas 936 iontráil san iomlán ó 1000 grúpa gníomhach ar fud na tíre, an líon ba mhó riamh.
“Go háirithe, ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt don ról ríthábhachtach atá ag oibrithe deonacha na mBailte Slachtmhara ar fud na tíre. Oibríonn siad go dian dícheallach i rith na bliana ar fad chun a chinntiú gur áiteanna bríomhara inbhuanaithe iad ár bpobail — áiteanna ina bhfuil sé go maith cónaí a dhéanamh, obair a dhéanamh, agus cuairt a thabhairt orthu. Is sampla iontach den mhéid is fearr inár bpobail iad an paisean agus an tiomantas atá ag na hoibrithe deonacha seo.
“Bíonn tairbhí fadtéarmacha ann do chách nuair a dhéantar infheistíocht inár bpobail tríd an gcomórtas iontach seo – rud atá le feiceáil go soiléir sna grúpaí a bhuaigh inniu. Tá tionchar chomórtas Bhailte Slachtmhara Supervalu le feiceáil go soiléir, go háirithe maidir le cuimsiú, inbhuanaitheacht agus rannpháirtíocht an phobail a chothú.”
Seo a leanas buaiteoirí na bpríomhchatagóirí a fógraíodh inniu:
- Buaile na hAbhann, Co. na hIarmhí – an sráidbhaile is slachtmhaire in Éirinn.
- Mainistir Laoise, Co. Laois – an baile beag is slachtmhaire in Éirinn.
- Bun Cranncha, Co. Dhún na nGall – an baile mór is slachtmhaire in Éirinn.
- Trá Lí, Co. Chiarraí – an t-ionad uirbeach mór is slachtmhaire in Éirinn.
Is é SuperValu príomh-urraitheoir an chomórtais ó 1991 i leith, agus inniu, d’fhógair Margaret Barron, Príomhoifigeach Margaíochta Musgrave, na torthaí i gcomhar leis an Aire Calleary.
Ghabh an tAire buíochas freisin le SuperValu, urraitheoir an chomórtais, ag rá:
“Tá SuperValu ag urrú an chomórtais le 35 bliana anuas, agus leanann siad orthu ag cur inbhuanaitheachta chun cinn trí líonra tacúil miondíoltóirí ar fud na tíre. D’oibrigh an fhoireann go dlúth le mo Roinnse chun a chinntiú go leanann an comórtas seo ag dul ó neart go neart. Ghlac go leor grúpaí de chuid na mBailte Slachtmhara páirt sa chomórtas gach bliain le breis agus 60 bliain anuas – rud a léiríonn tiomantas den scoth dá bpobail.”
Dúirt Margaret Barron, Príomhoifigeach Margaíochta ag Musgrave, tar éis an tsearmanais:
“Déanaim comhghairdeas ó chroí le Buaile na hAbhann as a bheith ainmnithe mar an Baile is Slachtmhaire in Éirinn don bhliain 2026. Léiríonn an gnóthachtáil shuntasach seo an tiomantas, an paisean agus an dúthracht atá ag an gcoiste agus ag na hoibrithe deonacha. Is aitheantas é an gradam seo ar an obair dhian a rinne siad, agus is sampla den scoth é freisin den mhéid is féidir a bhaint amach nuair a thagann pobail le chéile, agus iad lán le bród comhroinnte agus tiomanta do dhifríocht dhearfach bhuan a dhéanamh ina gceantar áitiúil.
“Ag SuperValu, faighimid spreagadh i gcónaí ón mbród agus ón tiomantas eisceachtúil atá ag breis agus 31,000 oibrí deonach thar 936 coiste; i mbliana amháin, thug siad níos mó ná milliún uair an chloig dá bpobail. Léirítear inár gcuid taighde go bhfuil níos mó ná 70% de na grúpaí gníomhach le breis agus 10 mbliana anuas – rud a léiríonn oidhreacht shuntasach tiomantais agus rannpháirtíochta saoránach. B’fhéidir gurb é an rud is suntasaí ar fad ná an tionchar a bhíonn ag tionscnamh na mBailte Slachtmhara ar ghlúnta éagsúla. I mbliana, bhí trian de na hoibrithe deonacha faoi bhun 45 bliana d’aois, agus bhí 11% acu faoi bhun 14 bliana d’aois. Léiríonn sé seo go bhfuil baint ag gach duine leis an áit ina gcónaíonn siad, agus gur féidir le gach duine ról a imirt chun a bpobal a dhéanamh ina áit níos fearr le haghaidh oibre, maireachtála agus caitheamh aimsire.”
Mar fhocal scoir, dúirt Margaret Barron, Príomhoifigeach Margaíochta Musgrave:
“Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt freisin don tiomantas agus don dúthracht leanúnach atá léirithe ag an Roinn i leith an chláir, chomh maith leis an ról tábhachtach a bhí ag an gcomhpháirtíocht láidir atá againn ina rath. Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom béim a chur ar an tiomantas daingean atá ag oibrithe deonacha agus ag miondíoltóirí neamhspleácha – daoine a théann thar fóir i gcónaí ar mhaithe lena gceantair áitiúla, ag cruthú athrú fíor agus buan, ag athrú cuma ár sráideanna agus ag cosaint na bithéagsúlachta. Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine a thug tacaíocht i mbliana as bhur n-iarrachtaí den scoth; is sibhse an fórsa tiomána taobh thiar den tionscnamh seo.”
Eagraíonn an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta comórtas Bhailte Slachtmhara SuperValu, agus is é SuperValu – a bhfuil urraíocht á déanamh acu ar an gcomórtas ó 1991 i leith – an t-urraitheoir.
Is féidir sonraí iomlána bhuaiteoirí uile na bliana seo a léamh ar www.tidytowns.ie agus www.supervalu.ie