Full House as Tidy Towns Awards Reward Progress and Volunteerism
winners
Competition fierce in all categories as progress celebrated
Monaghan Tidy Towns 6th Annual Awards took place (21st September 2011) in the packed Town Hall of the resplendent Westenra Hotel. The awards, now in their sixth year, saw a massive increase in nominees this year, particularly in the garden category. Committee secretary, Emer Brennan was MC for the night and introduced speakers Cllr David Maxwell, current Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council, Judge Richie Barry, secretary of overall winners in 2010, Tallanstown and Tidy Towns Chairman, Raymond Aughey.
Cllr Maxwell praised the work of the committee, volunteers and the council staff, all of whom played a significant role in the improving score for Monaghan Town.
Richie Barry spoke of the pleasure he had in visiting the town and of how impressed he was by the standard of presentation of businesses and shop fronts, estates and gardens. Mr Barry is also chairman of Louth Tidy Towns Together, the Tidy Towns network in Louth which has been so successful in attaining gold medal awards.
He said that he was shocked that the Monaghan was not on a much higher score. However he added that with the progress being made, it would not be long until Monaghan would be in contention. Describing how Tallanstown rose from 11th from bottom in the rankings to win the competition in 2010 he said that Monaghan was fortunate to have such lovely architecture, a beautiful lake in the town and many other features that provided a great basis to work on.
Committee Chairman Raymond Aughey read a section of the 1996 report where the town had scored a mere 99 points and compared it to the 2011 report which was both encouraging and praising in its tone. He thanked the many groups and individuals who had worked hard to help Monaghan look good this year - staff and workers of Monaghan Town Council and Monaghan County Council, Marie Deighan, Gareth Mc Mahon, David Fallon, Niall O Connor, Carmel Brennan, Carol Lambe, Denis Flannery, Billy Flynn, Richie Barry, the Courts Service, the town and county councillors for bringing up issues, supported Tidy Towns and came out to help, Emer Brennan, Cheryl Gormley, John Nutley and all members of the committee, Johnny Mc Quillann and Alice White & all our “Litter Vigilantes”, all those who come out and volunteer with community clean ups, Rehab Care, residents committees, the local schools and Green Schools participants, Francie Coogan, George Wright and the Westenra Hotel. Noting the sad passing of committee member Geraldine Doyle he said that the spirit Geraldine brought to Tidy Towns would live on in her memory.
Committee secretary Emer Brennan called out the list of nominees in each category followed by the winners. All nominees received a certificate and the winners a framed winners certificate. Magnificent cups and plaques were sponsored by well known volunteer Mr. Francie Coogan (New Terrace), Mr.George Wright (Mill Street) and the ICA. The awards night is sponsored by Monaghan County Council which has been so supportive of the Tidy Towns effort.
Emer Brennan explained that the number of nominees in each category had continued to grow with 19 nominations in the garden category alone.
“Competition in the shop front, business front and best pub categories is fierce with several former award winners in each section, all of whom have made an extra effort this year. Deciding on winners in these categories was very tough so we were happy to have an independent outsider come in and do it for us. The crowd that attended the awards tonight is a testament to the interest that is there in having your premises looking well and contributing to the overall presentation of the town.”
“The committee are also continuing the practice of recognising those who make a special effort in volunteering to help out the Tidy Towns cause in Monaghan. Rehab Care go out and litter pick around the Mall Road, Ulster Canal Walk area of town on a regular basis. Johnny Mc Quillan and Alice White were really our first “litter vigilantes”, going out and litter picking on the Dublin Road frequently. Macartan Kierans is well known among the traders as someone who has done great work on Dublin Street and has also worked as our liaison person on our work on that street this summer. Judge Richie Barry was particularly impressed by the presentation of Mc Guirks Fuels in Old Cross Square particularly with regard to its strategic importance with the Square as a whole. The residents of Cluain Lorcain were recognised for their contribution to the establishment of Monaghan Junior Tidy Towns, a development of enormous potential for the future of Tidy Towns in Monaghan.”
“It is particularly pleasing that several people expressed an interest in getting more involved in Tidy Towns on the night. We welcome new ,members either as volunteers or committee members or both. There’s a place for everyone in Tidy Towns. Contact us through our web site www.monaghantidytowns.com or by calling Emer at 086 3908504 or Cheryl at 086 2270957 or by contacting any member of the committee.”
The secretary concluded by thanking Rory Geary, the Northern Standard and Northern Sound for their support in helping the committee to continually highlight the Tidy Towns message.
The 2011 awards winners were
Best Estate: Winners of The Coogan Family Perpetual Cup
St Patricks Tce/Belgium Sq/Pk (Kilnacloy Residents Association)
Best Estate Entrance:
The Corran, Cootehill Road.
Best Shop Front: Winners of the Francie Coogan Perpetual Plaque
Albany Modern Décor, Market Street
Best Pub:
The Squealing Pig, The Diamond
Best Business Front: (Winners of the ICA Cup)
Barry Healy & Co. Hillside
Best Hotel/Tourism:
The Westenra Hotel, The Diamond
Best B&B (The ICA Cup No. 2) )
Ashleigh House, Dublin Street.
Best Restaurant or Take Away
Dinkins Restaurant, Church Square
Monaghans Prettiest Garden – Winner of the George Wright Perpetual Trophy
Mandy Mee, Killygoan
Best Floral Display: Monaghan Town Hall
Hall of Fame Award: Hildene House
Specials – Community Endeavour Awards
Rehab Care, Mall Road
Johnny Mc Quillan and Alice White, Dublin Road
Macartan Kierans, Dublin Street
Mc Guirks Fuels, Old Cross Square
Residents of Cluain Lorcain, Old Armagh Road.
Monaghan Tidy Towns 6th Annual Awards took place (21st September 2011) in the packed Town Hall of the resplendent Westenra Hotel. The awards, now in their sixth year, saw a massive increase in nominees this year, particularly in the garden category. Committee secretary, Emer Brennan was MC for the night and introduced speakers Cllr David Maxwell, current Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council, Judge Richie Barry, secretary of overall winners in 2010, Tallanstown and Tidy Towns Chairman, Raymond Aughey.
Cllr Maxwell praised the work of the committee, volunteers and the council staff, all of whom played a significant role in the improving score for Monaghan Town.
Richie Barry spoke of the pleasure he had in visiting the town and of how impressed he was by the standard of presentation of businesses and shop fronts, estates and gardens. Mr Barry is also chairman of Louth Tidy Towns Together, the Tidy Towns network in Louth which has been so successful in attaining gold medal awards.
He said that he was shocked that the Monaghan was not on a much higher score. However he added that with the progress being made, it would not be long until Monaghan would be in contention. Describing how Tallanstown rose from 11th from bottom in the rankings to win the competition in 2010 he said that Monaghan was fortunate to have such lovely architecture, a beautiful lake in the town and many other features that provided a great basis to work on.
Committee Chairman Raymond Aughey read a section of the 1996 report where the town had scored a mere 99 points and compared it to the 2011 report which was both encouraging and praising in its tone. He thanked the many groups and individuals who had worked hard to help Monaghan look good this year - staff and workers of Monaghan Town Council and Monaghan County Council, Marie Deighan, Gareth Mc Mahon, David Fallon, Niall O Connor, Carmel Brennan, Carol Lambe, Denis Flannery, Billy Flynn, Richie Barry, the Courts Service, the town and county councillors for bringing up issues, supported Tidy Towns and came out to help, Emer Brennan, Cheryl Gormley, John Nutley and all members of the committee, Johnny Mc Quillann and Alice White & all our “Litter Vigilantes”, all those who come out and volunteer with community clean ups, Rehab Care, residents committees, the local schools and Green Schools participants, Francie Coogan, George Wright and the Westenra Hotel. Noting the sad passing of committee member Geraldine Doyle he said that the spirit Geraldine brought to Tidy Towns would live on in her memory.
Committee secretary Emer Brennan called out the list of nominees in each category followed by the winners. All nominees received a certificate and the winners a framed winners certificate. Magnificent cups and plaques were sponsored by well known volunteer Mr. Francie Coogan (New Terrace), Mr.George Wright (Mill Street) and the ICA. The awards night is sponsored by Monaghan County Council which has been so supportive of the Tidy Towns effort.
Emer Brennan explained that the number of nominees in each category had continued to grow with 19 nominations in the garden category alone.
“Competition in the shop front, business front and best pub categories is fierce with several former award winners in each section, all of whom have made an extra effort this year. Deciding on winners in these categories was very tough so we were happy to have an independent outsider come in and do it for us. The crowd that attended the awards tonight is a testament to the interest that is there in having your premises looking well and contributing to the overall presentation of the town.”
“The committee are also continuing the practice of recognising those who make a special effort in volunteering to help out the Tidy Towns cause in Monaghan. Rehab Care go out and litter pick around the Mall Road, Ulster Canal Walk area of town on a regular basis. Johnny Mc Quillan and Alice White were really our first “litter vigilantes”, going out and litter picking on the Dublin Road frequently. Macartan Kierans is well known among the traders as someone who has done great work on Dublin Street and has also worked as our liaison person on our work on that street this summer. Judge Richie Barry was particularly impressed by the presentation of Mc Guirks Fuels in Old Cross Square particularly with regard to its strategic importance with the Square as a whole. The residents of Cluain Lorcain were recognised for their contribution to the establishment of Monaghan Junior Tidy Towns, a development of enormous potential for the future of Tidy Towns in Monaghan.”
“It is particularly pleasing that several people expressed an interest in getting more involved in Tidy Towns on the night. We welcome new ,members either as volunteers or committee members or both. There’s a place for everyone in Tidy Towns. Contact us through our web site www.monaghantidytowns.com or by calling Emer at 086 3908504 or Cheryl at 086 2270957 or by contacting any member of the committee.”
The secretary concluded by thanking Rory Geary, the Northern Standard and Northern Sound for their support in helping the committee to continually highlight the Tidy Towns message.
The 2011 awards winners were
Best Estate: Winners of The Coogan Family Perpetual Cup
St Patricks Tce/Belgium Sq/Pk (Kilnacloy Residents Association)
Best Estate Entrance:
The Corran, Cootehill Road.
Best Shop Front: Winners of the Francie Coogan Perpetual Plaque
Albany Modern Décor, Market Street
Best Pub:
The Squealing Pig, The Diamond
Best Business Front: (Winners of the ICA Cup)
Barry Healy & Co. Hillside
Best Hotel/Tourism:
The Westenra Hotel, The Diamond
Best B&B (The ICA Cup No. 2) )
Ashleigh House, Dublin Street.
Best Restaurant or Take Away
Dinkins Restaurant, Church Square
Monaghans Prettiest Garden – Winner of the George Wright Perpetual Trophy
Mandy Mee, Killygoan
Best Floral Display: Monaghan Town Hall
Hall of Fame Award: Hildene House
Specials – Community Endeavour Awards
Rehab Care, Mall Road
Johnny Mc Quillan and Alice White, Dublin Road
Macartan Kierans, Dublin Street
Mc Guirks Fuels, Old Cross Square
Residents of Cluain Lorcain, Old Armagh Road.