28/06/2018

Randalstown Named Overall Winner In Best Kept Town Competition

Randalstown in County Antrim has been named the overall winner of Ireland's Best kept Town Competition.

The award was announced at an event in Belfast this week, where Banbridge, County Down, was also named in the Best Kept Large Urban Centre category.

Doreen Muskett, MBE, President of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the body that organised the Best Kept Awards, said: "The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities by working 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 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. I am delighted that Randalstown and Banbridge have been recognised amongst Ireland's most beautiful spots."

Ballina in County Mayo was also announced as the winner of Ireland's Best Kept Town, while Geashill, Co Offaly was named Best Kept Village.

Congratulating the winners, Ireland's Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, said: "I want to congratulate all of the winners and nominees in the all-island Best Kept Town competition … I want to pay tribute to Randalstown, Co. Antrim, the overall winner of Ireland's Best Kept Town, and Banbridge, Co. Down, the winner of the Best Kept Large Urban Centre category.

"The all-island Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It shows how local volunteers take ownership of their surroundings and work to improve them, both for now and into the future."

(MH/LM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 July 2004
Bangor named Ireland's 'Best Kept Town'
Bangor has been named as Ireland's best kept town following an awards ceremony in Belfast. Commenting on the achievement, Stephen Peover, Permanent Secretary of DOE, congratulated Bangor and North Down Borough Council on the news. "I would urge more communities to take part in the competition," Mr Peover said.
27 August 2002
Third successive 'litter-free' award for Enniskillen
Enniskillen has been recognised as among the top three litter-free towns in Ireland during the recent 'All-Ireland Anti-Litter League' competition. In the survey organised by Irish Business Against Litter, the County Fermanagh town achieved a score of 81 points, enough to win the designation of 'litter-free'.
26 July 2007
Derry and Antrim areas awarded 'Best Kept'
Derry has won its second award in as many years at Ireland’s Best Kept Awards at a ceremony in Dublin. In 2006, Councillor Helen Quigley, Mayor of Derry accepted the award for winning the Large Town Category and one year later they have scooped the top award in the Large Urban Centre Category.
18 September 2013
Southern Hospice Receives Best Kept Award
Health Minister Edwin Poots has congratulated the Southern Area Hospice in Newry, on winning the Best Kept Health and Social Care Facility Awards.
27 June 2002
Loughgall wins 'Best Kept' village
DOE Permanent Secretary Stephen Quinn has congratulated Loughgall on winning Ireland’s 'Best Kept' Award. Speaking in the Harbour Office, Corporation Square, Belfast, Mr Quinn said Loughgall was the winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Award 2002.