15 point gain and another GOLD medal for MonaghanSee last year's report below
June 8th 2026 - Another Top 5 IBAL Result for Monaghan !
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“No limit as to how far Monaghan can go in the competition” says adjudicator, as town achieves first Gold medal in 2024.
Another Gold Medal in 2025 with 15 point gain.
The strong focus on biodiversity has been very fruitful for Monaghan Towns participation in the National TidyTowns Awards again this year. Monaghan Town continues to have one of the highest scores for biodiversity in the competition, which now involves 929 towns and villages. The quest to retain our medal has been completed and now the committee will continue on adding to the town’s score, particularly in light of the closing comment by last year’s adjudicator that “there is no limit as to how far Monaghan Town can go in the competition.”
This year’s report provides both praise and a good number of recommendations for action across all eight aspects on which the town is judged.
Monaghan Tidy towns Committee wishes to thank everyone involved in the Monaghan Tidy Towns effort which has achieved a 15 point gain for the second year running. “We want to thank all of our volunteers, local schools, residents, businesses, Monaghan MD staff and ground staff, Michael Carroll, Council Horticulturalist, St Joseph’s CE Scheme, the Migrant Men's Group, the Men’s Shed, Patricia Mc Creesh, Biodiversity Officer, Niall Malone, Environment Officer, Noel Corley, Litter Warden, Carol Lambe and so many others from Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Volunteer Centre who have supported us. Thanks to Flemings Supervalu, Monaghan Harps, Staff of AIB, MDE, the Hillgrove Hotel, Farrans and SEUPB for joining us to keep the town clean and tidy and Flemings Supervalu for their input into yet another super landscaping project, and so many more.
See full report above..
This year’s report provides both praise and a good number of recommendations for action across all eight aspects on which the town is judged.
Monaghan Tidy towns Committee wishes to thank everyone involved in the Monaghan Tidy Towns effort which has achieved a 15 point gain for the second year running. “We want to thank all of our volunteers, local schools, residents, businesses, Monaghan MD staff and ground staff, Michael Carroll, Council Horticulturalist, St Joseph’s CE Scheme, the Migrant Men's Group, the Men’s Shed, Patricia Mc Creesh, Biodiversity Officer, Niall Malone, Environment Officer, Noel Corley, Litter Warden, Carol Lambe and so many others from Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Volunteer Centre who have supported us. Thanks to Flemings Supervalu, Monaghan Harps, Staff of AIB, MDE, the Hillgrove Hotel, Farrans and SEUPB for joining us to keep the town clean and tidy and Flemings Supervalu for their input into yet another super landscaping project, and so many more.
See full report above..
Our heritage site
See our work on Sir Charles Gavan Duffy - born in Dublin Street over 200 years ago.
Welcome to our website which has been developed to keep people informed about our work on Monaghan Tidy Towns Committee. The purpose of this site is to provide a portal in which we can keep you up to date and offer a way for you to inform us of your ideas and help us all work together to ensure that Monaghan is a a great place to live, work and visit.
Monaghan Tidy Town Committee's aim is to work with the community to improve the environment in which we live. We would like to ask you to join us in whatever way you can. Explore a little further to see how you can get involved.
The assistance of our partners – Monaghan MD and County Council is invaluable. We appreciate the support of local businesses and individuals. Sponsorship and donations received are greatly appreciated and these funds continue to be utilized in the enhancement of our town. Without our sponsors and partners our work would be very much curtailed.
We want to promote sustainability, cooperation, best environmental standards, a clean town and have some fun too!
Monaghan Tidy Town Committee's aim is to work with the community to improve the environment in which we live. We would like to ask you to join us in whatever way you can. Explore a little further to see how you can get involved.
The assistance of our partners – Monaghan MD and County Council is invaluable. We appreciate the support of local businesses and individuals. Sponsorship and donations received are greatly appreciated and these funds continue to be utilized in the enhancement of our town. Without our sponsors and partners our work would be very much curtailed.
We want to promote sustainability, cooperation, best environmental standards, a clean town and have some fun too!
Hug a Tree Day 26 - Thank you to all who attended!
The Respect the Dandelion Campaign
Monaghan Tidy Towns Committee are reminding everyone of the importance of dandelions at this time of year.
“We would like to thank everyone who has delayed mowing to allow dandelions to bloom. Dandelions have been demonised as pernicious weeds for many years, however we now realise that if people hold back on mowing at this time of year we are helping a whole range of garden wildlife which depends on them for food - so we are saying let dandelions grow, bees, beetles and birds still need them,”
“Right now dandelions are in full bloom and they are providing much needed food, particularly for bees. Dandelions are often the first flower we see in spring and the last in autumn. Although in flower for most of the year, the dandelion’s peak flowering time is from late March to May, when many bees and other pollinators emerge from hibernation. Each flower in fact consists of up to 100 florets, each one packed with nectar and pollen. This early, easily available source of food is a lifesaver for pollinators in spring and that’s why we have asked people to hold off on mowing for a couple of weeks.”
“Bumblebees, solitary bees and honeybees all visit dandelions for food, along with hoverflies, beetles, and butterflies. No one should feel ashamed of dandelions growing on their lawns, now that we know how important they are in the spring.”
“In fact. the sight of dandelions blooming on lawns and verges is a sign that the householder is helping the survival of Ireland's endangered bumblebees and wild solitary bees. Ireland's wild bees are in decline because they are going hungry because of a lack of food in the landscape. Dandelions are a superfood for bees and according to Dr Una FitzPatrick, senior ecologist at the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford, letting dandelions grow must not be seen as a sign of neglect or laziness. Wild bees are vital in pollinating Ireland's fruit crops and plants. There are 20 species of Irish bumblebees and 77 species of wild solitary bees in Ireland. One third of these bee species are in danger of disappearing altogether.
"We are working to change the perception that is so ingrained everywhere that dandelions are a weed. The presence of dandelions is very important to our wild bees that have such an important role in nature.
A queen bumblebee must visit 6,000 flowers every day when she comes out of hibernation. Even if gardeners decided to allow dandelions grow in certain areas of their gardens or allow them grow even on one strip of grass or along the borders or on verges, it would be very helpful to wild bees. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has achieved some successes with the cooperation of gardeners and TidyTowns committees across the country. Monaghan Tidy Towns were the first winners of the National Pollinator Awards in 2016.
Monaghan Tidy Towns Committee are reminding everyone of the importance of dandelions at this time of year.
“We would like to thank everyone who has delayed mowing to allow dandelions to bloom. Dandelions have been demonised as pernicious weeds for many years, however we now realise that if people hold back on mowing at this time of year we are helping a whole range of garden wildlife which depends on them for food - so we are saying let dandelions grow, bees, beetles and birds still need them,”
“Right now dandelions are in full bloom and they are providing much needed food, particularly for bees. Dandelions are often the first flower we see in spring and the last in autumn. Although in flower for most of the year, the dandelion’s peak flowering time is from late March to May, when many bees and other pollinators emerge from hibernation. Each flower in fact consists of up to 100 florets, each one packed with nectar and pollen. This early, easily available source of food is a lifesaver for pollinators in spring and that’s why we have asked people to hold off on mowing for a couple of weeks.”
“Bumblebees, solitary bees and honeybees all visit dandelions for food, along with hoverflies, beetles, and butterflies. No one should feel ashamed of dandelions growing on their lawns, now that we know how important they are in the spring.”
“In fact. the sight of dandelions blooming on lawns and verges is a sign that the householder is helping the survival of Ireland's endangered bumblebees and wild solitary bees. Ireland's wild bees are in decline because they are going hungry because of a lack of food in the landscape. Dandelions are a superfood for bees and according to Dr Una FitzPatrick, senior ecologist at the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford, letting dandelions grow must not be seen as a sign of neglect or laziness. Wild bees are vital in pollinating Ireland's fruit crops and plants. There are 20 species of Irish bumblebees and 77 species of wild solitary bees in Ireland. One third of these bee species are in danger of disappearing altogether.
"We are working to change the perception that is so ingrained everywhere that dandelions are a weed. The presence of dandelions is very important to our wild bees that have such an important role in nature.
A queen bumblebee must visit 6,000 flowers every day when she comes out of hibernation. Even if gardeners decided to allow dandelions grow in certain areas of their gardens or allow them grow even on one strip of grass or along the borders or on verges, it would be very helpful to wild bees. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has achieved some successes with the cooperation of gardeners and TidyTowns committees across the country. Monaghan Tidy Towns were the first winners of the National Pollinator Awards in 2016.
Our new biodiversity web site is now online at https://www.biodiversity.town/
Our older web site http://www.monaghantownbiodiversity.com will soon be archived 
Are you interested in pledging your garden for pollinators? Contact us!
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Check our Facebook page!
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Climate Action 2 Update - Almost €17000 for Native Hedgerows in Monaghan Town
Monaghan Tidy Towns has been successful in our application for Climate Action funding to plant native hedgrows in local housing estates to replace unsustainable close-board and post and rail fencing. This grant is a natrural follow-on to our Pocket Forests project, just completed in February 2026. The grant will also allow us to relaunch our Dispered Urban Orchard project - a project that was central to our National "Lets Get Buzzing" Pollinator Award back in 2026. This project has been replicated in many towns across the country in the last ten years.
Thanks to Monaghan County Council local Climate Action Team for their support
Thanks to Monaghan County Council local Climate Action Team for their support
Pocket Forests - Climate Action Project for Monaghan Town
Monaghan Tidy Towns has just completed a unique new project under the Climate Action Fund. The project involves the development of eight pocket forests in residential housing estates in the town.
Participating in the project are Tidy Towns volunteers, Monaghan County Council, St Josephs CE Scheme and Pocket Forests CLG led by Catherine Cleary
A pocket forest is a densely planted, small-scale urban forest, mimicking the diversity and structure of a natural forest.
These forests are created in urban areas and are planted with a variety of native tree and shrub species; they can enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of urban areas. carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, community engagement and mental health benefits.
Soil preparation for the pocket forests began in May 2025 with planting completed by the end of the year followed
Monaghan Tidy Towns has just completed a unique new project under the Climate Action Fund. The project involves the development of eight pocket forests in residential housing estates in the town.
Participating in the project are Tidy Towns volunteers, Monaghan County Council, St Josephs CE Scheme and Pocket Forests CLG led by Catherine Cleary
A pocket forest is a densely planted, small-scale urban forest, mimicking the diversity and structure of a natural forest.
These forests are created in urban areas and are planted with a variety of native tree and shrub species; they can enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of urban areas. carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, community engagement and mental health benefits.
Soil preparation for the pocket forests began in May 2025 with planting completed by the end of the year followed
Monaghan Tidy Towns awarded grant to engage new audiences in their region on climate
Monaghan Tidy Towns is receiving funding from the Climate Actions Work Engagement fund to support their work to bring people together and share information on climate action.The grant will be used to promote the "Biodiversity Town" concept through developing, modelling and sharing an exemplar for the protection and promotion of urban biodiversity across our local network of towns and villages. The fund is focused on climate engagement, awareness and communications - helping communities to reach new audiences in their locality. It will also provide opportunities for community groups to promote their work and spread the message of community-led climate action.
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien, and Minister for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon today announced the awarding of €500,000 worth of grants nationally under the Climate Actions Work Engagement fund. The grants, ranging from €2,500 - €10,000, will be distributed to 96 community groups and organisations across 23 counties. It is estimated that 30,000 people will benefit from the activities generated through this fund with the support of over 2,000 volunteers.
The fund is administered by Community Foundation Ireland which as part of its mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities has been empowering local groups, researchers and advocates to take action on climate and nature since 2000. The foundation's work in this space is informed by its 25 years' experience of partnering with 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable groups as a philanthropic hub. A network which continues to grow.
Minister O’Brien said, “Our local communities are delivering great work on climate action, much of which often goes unseen. This funding will help groups in those communities raise awareness of that work and bring the climate action message to a wider audience. From workshops to events to content creation, this fund is really targeted at storytelling – helping people to tell their stories about climate action. I am very pleased to help these initiatives showcase examples the great work going on across Ireland.”
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien, and Minister for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon today announced the awarding of €500,000 worth of grants nationally under the Climate Actions Work Engagement fund. The grants, ranging from €2,500 - €10,000, will be distributed to 96 community groups and organisations across 23 counties. It is estimated that 30,000 people will benefit from the activities generated through this fund with the support of over 2,000 volunteers.
The fund is administered by Community Foundation Ireland which as part of its mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities has been empowering local groups, researchers and advocates to take action on climate and nature since 2000. The foundation's work in this space is informed by its 25 years' experience of partnering with 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable groups as a philanthropic hub. A network which continues to grow.
Minister O’Brien said, “Our local communities are delivering great work on climate action, much of which often goes unseen. This funding will help groups in those communities raise awareness of that work and bring the climate action message to a wider audience. From workshops to events to content creation, this fund is really targeted at storytelling – helping people to tell their stories about climate action. I am very pleased to help these initiatives showcase examples the great work going on across Ireland.”
Monaghan Hug a Tree Day 2026
Monaghan Hug a Tree Day returned to Rossmore Forest Park for Biodiversity week with ecologist Billy Flynn leading the tree walk and talk. Monaghan’s “Hug a Tree Day” was initiated in 2018 as one of Monaghan Tidy Towns’ Biodiversity Town actions and is now an annual event.
“Hug A Tree Day was inspired by studies over the years that correlated the presence of green spaces with lower symptoms of depression and improved well-being. Basically, trees are not just good for the environment, they are good for both our physical and mental health as well.
The event was held in conjunction with a Bioblitz where moth traps had been set out the previous evening and were identified with the help of moth expert Heather Bothwell. Bernie O Hanrahan added kick sampling of the local stream to identlify the creepy crawlies residing there. all helped to add record for the National Biodiversity Centre.
Monaghan Hug a Tree Day returned to Rossmore Forest Park for Biodiversity week with ecologist Billy Flynn leading the tree walk and talk. Monaghan’s “Hug a Tree Day” was initiated in 2018 as one of Monaghan Tidy Towns’ Biodiversity Town actions and is now an annual event.
“Hug A Tree Day was inspired by studies over the years that correlated the presence of green spaces with lower symptoms of depression and improved well-being. Basically, trees are not just good for the environment, they are good for both our physical and mental health as well.
The event was held in conjunction with a Bioblitz where moth traps had been set out the previous evening and were identified with the help of moth expert Heather Bothwell. Bernie O Hanrahan added kick sampling of the local stream to identlify the creepy crawlies residing there. all helped to add record for the National Biodiversity Centre.
“Bee Babies” and "Primary Pollinators" new Pollinator Projects from Monaghan Tidy Towns
Monaghan Tidy Towns' pollinator project aimed at involving children in learning about bees and pollinators from the earliest age is in its second year. The committee has assembled a pack for each childcare facility in the town containing easy to grow sunflower and nasturtium seeds, window boxes and seed trays as well as a bee hotel so that children can get involved in growing their own flowers for the bees this summer. The pack will also contain a bee soft toy and some bee themed books.
The project, entitled “Bee Babies” will be offered to eight different childcare facilities across Monaghan Town over the next week. Monaghan Tidy Towns will contact each facility in advance of delivery. Monaghan Tidy Towns hopes that the children attending each childcare facility will be able to get involved in growing their own flowers and will learn a little about bees and pollinators in the process.
Supplementing this programme is a similar kit for primary schools in the town - this one includes a butterfly grow kit and identifiers keys for both butterflies and bees from the National Biodiversity Centre.
Monaghan Tidy Towns' pollinator project aimed at involving children in learning about bees and pollinators from the earliest age is in its second year. The committee has assembled a pack for each childcare facility in the town containing easy to grow sunflower and nasturtium seeds, window boxes and seed trays as well as a bee hotel so that children can get involved in growing their own flowers for the bees this summer. The pack will also contain a bee soft toy and some bee themed books.
The project, entitled “Bee Babies” will be offered to eight different childcare facilities across Monaghan Town over the next week. Monaghan Tidy Towns will contact each facility in advance of delivery. Monaghan Tidy Towns hopes that the children attending each childcare facility will be able to get involved in growing their own flowers and will learn a little about bees and pollinators in the process.
Supplementing this programme is a similar kit for primary schools in the town - this one includes a butterfly grow kit and identifiers keys for both butterflies and bees from the National Biodiversity Centre.
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Our latest project to inspire the youngest in our community - children in childcare facilties, to learn about pollinators
New dandelion mural on Dawson Street
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Our new project to inspire primary schools to help pollinators involves growing nasturtiums and butterflies.
This new mural on Dawson Street pats homage to Monaghan's history in textlies.
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