The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Barr has congratulated Derry on scooping the title of ‘Best Kept Large Urban Centre’ at the 2024 Ireland’s Best Kept Town Awards.
This is the first time Derry has taken the accolade and Mayor Barr paid tribute to all those who work so hard to keep the city at its best.
She said, “This is a huge honour for Derry. I know countless people in our Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleaning teams work every day to keep our city looking so well. Keeping rubbish under control, tending to the flower displays and making sure our public facilities are clean and fit for purpose.
“This award is testament to all these people, and they should be very proud of the work they do. Derry is looking amazing.”
The awards ceremony took place at Riddel Hall in Belfast on the 18th June 2024 and featured towns and cities from across the island of Ireland.
The annual celebration, which has been running since 1995 is part of the Tidy Towns and Best Kept initiative which recognises towns and villages across Ireland which consistently take pride in their surroundings, be it through enhancing their natural environment with flowers and foliage, maintaining the outward appearance of buildings and public facilities, or general cleanliness.
Doreen Muskett, MBE Chair of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council added, “The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities and those who work tirelessly to make their surroundings a nice place to work, live and play in.
“My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients. The panel of esteemed judges from all over Ireland had a very difficult task in comparing and selecting the eventual winners, which is a testament to the stunning towns and villages that we are lucky enough to have here in Northern Ireland”.
Other winners in Northern Ireland included Randalstown, Co Antrim, which not only earned the title of ‘Best Kept Small Town’ but also the overall accolade of ‘Ireland’s Best Kept Town’. Meanwhile Malin in Co Donegal and Roscommon were also category winners as Best Kept Village and Best Kept Large Town respectively.
The event was also attended by Mary Hurley, Secretary General for Rural and Community Development (ROI), she said: “The all-island Best Kept Town competition is a great example of a positive cross-border initiative that recognises the community spirit and pride people have which brings great benefits to so many of our communities.
“I wish to offer my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s winners as well as to all the nominees.
“It is inspiring to see the efforts made by all of the volunteers and local communities in the Supervalu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland.”
