Droichead Nua or Newbridge

Your Town

It’s easy to make a difference!

National Tidy Towns Competition

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Communities in Ireland are defined by their people not their geography. This award is in recognition of the people and businesses who have collaborated as a community to work to improve their environment, foster civic pride and make their town a better place to live, work and visit.

Ní hé an tíreolaíocht a chuireann aithne ar pobail na hÉireann, ach na daoine atá ina gconaí iontu. Tugann an bhronnadh seo aitheantas ar leith dóibh siúd, muintir na háite agus comhlachtaí, a tháinig le chéile chun a gcuid timpeallacht a fheabhsú, bród síbhialta a chothú agus áit cónaithe, oibrithe agus cuairte níos fearr a dhéanamh as a mbaile féin.







The National Tidy Towns Competition was launched in 1958, and is still going strong; Tidy Towns is a competition which brings everybody together to work in a common cause in improving their town or village – urban or rural, big or small.

The National Tidy Towns Competition is judged during the period June / July & August and the results are generally published in early September. Newbridge Tidy Towns Association prepares an application form and submits it to the Tidy Towns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government each year. The application form n is supported by a comprehensive report on developments in the town over the preceding year, and details of possible or proposed enhancements expected over the coming years. Newbridge is entered in the "Large Urban Centre" category (i.e. Population range from 15,001 to 25,000 people). Newbridge has scored well in the competition, generally coming within the "top ten" in the "Large Towns" category nationally.

The Tidy Towns Competition has evolved over the years, and now covers a wide range of items on which the Town is judged. Additionally the competition parameters were changed from the 2006 competition, with an adjusted marking system. As an Association we welcome the changed marking system, the changed town categorisation, and the inclusion of new modules which are open to towns around the country to enter.

The adjudication categories are as follows:

Overall Developmental Approach
Involvement of the local community in committee activities, partnership with local businesses and agencies, work carried out in a planned and targeted manner. This includes a Five Year Strategic Plan . Marks Available: 50

The Built Environment
Conservation and presentation of buildings, treatment of derelict sites, design, extent and suitability of civic amenities, general use of the Irish Language. Marks Available: 50

Landscaping
Appropriate selection and siting of trees, shrubs and flowers for year-round effect, maintenance of planted areas, management of open spaces. Marks Available: 50

Wildlife and Natural Amenities
Conservation of natural amenities and wildlife areas, encouragement of wildlife, amenity walks and nature trails, appropriate access. Marks Available: 50

Litter Control
Absence of litter and dumping, existence of regular litter patrols and other planned activities including involvement of schools, promotion of anti-litter awareness. Marks Available: 50

Tidiness
General lack of clutter in town centre and environs, location and condition of signage, unused lamp poles, blocked footpaths, unsightly electric cables, absence of graffiti and fly posting, traffic management, control of weed growth on kerbs. Marks Available: 30

Waste Minimisation
Promotion of best practice, highlighting facilities, schools initiatives, segregating litter in cleanups, working with local businesses and agencies. Marks Available: 20

Residential Areas
Elements of the above, in particular maintenance of boundary walls, fences, gardens and communal open spaces, appropriate planting, estate signage and linkage of area to town centre. Marks Available: 40

Roads Streets & Back Areas
Elements of the above, in particular presentation of approach roads, streets, connecting roads, lane-ways and bridges. Marks Available: 50

General Impression
Presentation of town or village as an integrated centre, including evidence of exceptional effort to overcome a particularly difficult problem. Marks Available: 10

Second Adjudication:
An Adjudicators Report is provided to each entrant, this report will make comment on current facilities and on each of the items listed above. A range of towns who score well in the first round adjudication are subjected to a second adjudication, which can often provide additional useful advice to the local Tidy Towns Group and indeed to the Local Authorities.

The Tidy Towns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government publish a useful Tidy Towns Handbook which can be used by Tidy Towns Groups or Residents Associations for guidance in improving their localities. The Tidy Towns Unit can be contacted by phone at Dublin 01.8883948 or Wexford 053.9117374.
Send your email to Tidy Towns Unit or look up the Tidy Towns Website

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Droichead Nua or Newbridge - Your Town – It’s easy to make a difference!