Annual Awards 2014
Tidy Towns 2014 Award Winners Announced
Committee celebrates those who helped bring Monaghan Town its first medal
Monaghan Tidy Towns Annual Awards now in their ninth year, brought together a host of individuals from business and community, all of whom were celebrated for their contribution to the towns progress in the National Tidy Towns. Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Municipal District, Cllr Sean Conlon, kicked off proceedings by praising everyone who had contributed to the continued success and progression of Monaghan Tidy Towns. He singled out horticulturalist Denis Flannery for his work on landscaping and flowers in the town. Secretary Emer Brennan, on behalf of the committee welcomed all the nominees, local councillors and council staff. She thanked everyone who made the effort to nominate someone and all the nominees, adding that they are all winners as their work has been recognised by both the public and by the committee this year. She said that this combined work had led to Monaghan Town earning its first medal, a bronze, in the National Awards, as well as a county award and a second Highly Commended Award in the National biodiversity “Notice Nature Awards.
She added that the committee was been delighted by the response to its call for the painting of premises which has again improved on previous years. “Many premises have been painted, including several major landmark properties this year. Clean, freshly painted, tidy buildings are the foundation of success and we are very grateful to everyone who has done their bit to keep the town looking good. Last year we introduced a Hall of Fame award to recognise those who have been consistent in keeping an extremely high standard of presentation, year in, year out. These were Wards Pharmacy, Albany Modern Décor and The Squealing Pig Bar and Restaurant Three more have been added to our Hall of Fame this year – they are Pizza D’Or, Dinkins Restaurant and Mr Myers Garden on the Clones Road,” she said.
“This year again, in the interests of fairness, the awards were judged by independent outsiders. Our judges for 2014 were from Carrickmacross Tidy Towns. As always, the awards are sponsored by Monaghan County Council which has been so supportive of the Tidy Towns effort and we especially thank Nial O’Connor, Carol Lambe, Donal Mc Elwaine and Carmel Murphy and council staff for their support.
2014 awards nominees, winners and cups
Best Estate: Cluain Lorcan (Coogan Family Shield ) Cluain Lorcain leads again after their fantastic efforts and involvement in the Pride of Place awards this year. They pipped previous winners and standard bearers Tully and Kilnacloy with their immaculate presentation and indomitable community spirit.
Best Estate Entrance: The judges were torn between the colourful nasturtiums of Belgium Park and the multi-coloured entrance sign at The Corran and opted for joint winners here. They will share the Coogan Shield.
Best Shop Front: As always competition was fierce in this category with many outstanding regular nominees, the judges thought the winner, House of Labels / Esprit was so innovative and unique that it deserved to retain the Francie Coogan Perpetual Trophy.
Best Pub: The Squealing Pig with its Mediterranean colours and superb floral display took this category over Jimmy’s Ltd and the Shambles Bar on Dublin Street.
Best Business Front: Mc Ardle Cassidy Mc Quaid, North Road with their impressive landscaping and beautiful traditional front share this category with Monaghan Shopping Centre with its more modern but pristine presentation.
Best Hotel/Tourism: Yet again the judges couldn’t pass the elegance and the floral display of the Westenra Arms Hotel, winners for several years in a row now. They commented that the hotel was superbly and immaculately presented back, front and sides! The Hillgrove Hotel was commended for improvements made over the past year particularly to the front of the building.
Best B&B: The Meadows B&B stepped up to take this section. Judges saw it as a warm and welcoming sight on the approach to the town.
Best Restaurant or Take Away: The beautiful new flower display at ground and first floor level helped “The Hive” beat off strong competition.
Monaghan’s Prettiest Garden: Dawson and Pearl Breakey from Tully shared this honour with Martina Murphy of Cluain Lorcain. Cluain Lorcain had a number of fine nominees.
Best Floral Display: Hildene House takes this category with its fantastic summer display
Best Public Building was the Market House, beautifully presented with a fantastic floral display, the judges loved the way colour was coordinated at this heritage building through paint, outdoor furniture and flowers.
Window Display: Albany Modern Décor won this competitive category for their consistently creative window displays all year round.
Service Stations: This year Londis / Texoil on the Dublin Road pipped Sams Bridge, Drumlusk, Mace to take the award. The tidy forecourt and active litter action by the staff impressed the judges.
The Tidy Alley Award: This new category introduced last year for alleyways has resulted in some superb displays and outstanding winners in Brendan and Goretti O’Reilly for their outstanding floral presentation on their Dublin Street alleyway.
The practice of recognising those who make a special effort in volunteering to help out the Tidy Towns cause in Monaghan continued with awards for Tidy Towns Community Heroes and this years winners were Monaghan Men’s Shed.
Secretary Emer Brennan closed the event by congratulating all and adding that the committee was looking forward to an even bigger and better awards for 2015 which will see the tenth anniversary of the awards in Monaghan
Committee celebrates those who helped bring Monaghan Town its first medal
Monaghan Tidy Towns Annual Awards now in their ninth year, brought together a host of individuals from business and community, all of whom were celebrated for their contribution to the towns progress in the National Tidy Towns. Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Municipal District, Cllr Sean Conlon, kicked off proceedings by praising everyone who had contributed to the continued success and progression of Monaghan Tidy Towns. He singled out horticulturalist Denis Flannery for his work on landscaping and flowers in the town. Secretary Emer Brennan, on behalf of the committee welcomed all the nominees, local councillors and council staff. She thanked everyone who made the effort to nominate someone and all the nominees, adding that they are all winners as their work has been recognised by both the public and by the committee this year. She said that this combined work had led to Monaghan Town earning its first medal, a bronze, in the National Awards, as well as a county award and a second Highly Commended Award in the National biodiversity “Notice Nature Awards.
She added that the committee was been delighted by the response to its call for the painting of premises which has again improved on previous years. “Many premises have been painted, including several major landmark properties this year. Clean, freshly painted, tidy buildings are the foundation of success and we are very grateful to everyone who has done their bit to keep the town looking good. Last year we introduced a Hall of Fame award to recognise those who have been consistent in keeping an extremely high standard of presentation, year in, year out. These were Wards Pharmacy, Albany Modern Décor and The Squealing Pig Bar and Restaurant Three more have been added to our Hall of Fame this year – they are Pizza D’Or, Dinkins Restaurant and Mr Myers Garden on the Clones Road,” she said.
“This year again, in the interests of fairness, the awards were judged by independent outsiders. Our judges for 2014 were from Carrickmacross Tidy Towns. As always, the awards are sponsored by Monaghan County Council which has been so supportive of the Tidy Towns effort and we especially thank Nial O’Connor, Carol Lambe, Donal Mc Elwaine and Carmel Murphy and council staff for their support.
2014 awards nominees, winners and cups
Best Estate: Cluain Lorcan (Coogan Family Shield ) Cluain Lorcain leads again after their fantastic efforts and involvement in the Pride of Place awards this year. They pipped previous winners and standard bearers Tully and Kilnacloy with their immaculate presentation and indomitable community spirit.
Best Estate Entrance: The judges were torn between the colourful nasturtiums of Belgium Park and the multi-coloured entrance sign at The Corran and opted for joint winners here. They will share the Coogan Shield.
Best Shop Front: As always competition was fierce in this category with many outstanding regular nominees, the judges thought the winner, House of Labels / Esprit was so innovative and unique that it deserved to retain the Francie Coogan Perpetual Trophy.
Best Pub: The Squealing Pig with its Mediterranean colours and superb floral display took this category over Jimmy’s Ltd and the Shambles Bar on Dublin Street.
Best Business Front: Mc Ardle Cassidy Mc Quaid, North Road with their impressive landscaping and beautiful traditional front share this category with Monaghan Shopping Centre with its more modern but pristine presentation.
Best Hotel/Tourism: Yet again the judges couldn’t pass the elegance and the floral display of the Westenra Arms Hotel, winners for several years in a row now. They commented that the hotel was superbly and immaculately presented back, front and sides! The Hillgrove Hotel was commended for improvements made over the past year particularly to the front of the building.
Best B&B: The Meadows B&B stepped up to take this section. Judges saw it as a warm and welcoming sight on the approach to the town.
Best Restaurant or Take Away: The beautiful new flower display at ground and first floor level helped “The Hive” beat off strong competition.
Monaghan’s Prettiest Garden: Dawson and Pearl Breakey from Tully shared this honour with Martina Murphy of Cluain Lorcain. Cluain Lorcain had a number of fine nominees.
Best Floral Display: Hildene House takes this category with its fantastic summer display
Best Public Building was the Market House, beautifully presented with a fantastic floral display, the judges loved the way colour was coordinated at this heritage building through paint, outdoor furniture and flowers.
Window Display: Albany Modern Décor won this competitive category for their consistently creative window displays all year round.
Service Stations: This year Londis / Texoil on the Dublin Road pipped Sams Bridge, Drumlusk, Mace to take the award. The tidy forecourt and active litter action by the staff impressed the judges.
The Tidy Alley Award: This new category introduced last year for alleyways has resulted in some superb displays and outstanding winners in Brendan and Goretti O’Reilly for their outstanding floral presentation on their Dublin Street alleyway.
The practice of recognising those who make a special effort in volunteering to help out the Tidy Towns cause in Monaghan continued with awards for Tidy Towns Community Heroes and this years winners were Monaghan Men’s Shed.
Secretary Emer Brennan closed the event by congratulating all and adding that the committee was looking forward to an even bigger and better awards for 2015 which will see the tenth anniversary of the awards in Monaghan