Tidy Towns stalwart in Offaly honoured with new town centre seat

A woman who dedicated four decades of service to Tullamore Tidy Towns has been honoured by the organisation.

A public seat in memory of the late Mary Teresa Lynch was unveiled on Saturday afternoon at Kilbride St – the area where Mary Teresa and her late husband, Hugh, ran a popular public house for many years.

The informal occasion was attended by Mary Teresa's children, Hugo, Ciarán, Catherine and Emmet and their families, together with volunteers from the Tidy Towns group.

Shane Murray, Chairman of Tullamore Tidy Towns, said the late Mrs Lynch had been a stalwart member of the group for over 40 years.

He said that she attended every meeting of the group, along with her great friend and colleague, Sr Xavier O'Brien.

“She did not suffer fools gladly and was quick to tell us if we weren't doing out job,” revealed Mr Murray.

He outlined that the efforts of Mrs Lynch and the late Emer Groonell, whom the Tidy Towns also honoured with a public seat, were largely responsible for Tullamore winning the prestigious Entente Florale accolade in 2016.

Mr Murray added that Mrs Lynch was also involved in other groups in the community including Tullamore Meals on Wheels.

She was also a member of the Board of Management at Scoil Mhuire N.S.

Speaking on behalf of the Lynch family, Hugo Lynch, said even though his mother was a staunch Wexford native she was a proud Tullamore woman.

“She liked to help people and made sure that we as a family did so too,” said Mr Lynch.

Earlier that day Tidy Towns volunteers completed a clean-up along the Grand Canal collecting several bags of rubbish.