Birr Tidy Towns honoured with Civic Reception

BIRR Tidy Towns was honoured with a Civic Reception in Birr Civic Offices on Thursday evening, November 6th, in recognition of their enormous achievement of winning a second Gold Medal in this year's National Tidy Towns Awards.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” stated Cllr Hughie Egan, Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District, at the beginning of the Reception, “distinguished guests, and most importantly Birr Tidy Towns committee members, you are all very welcome to this lovely event to celebrate the achievements of Birr Tidy Towns Committee over the years. Birr Tidy Towns committee was founded in 1984. Tony McLoughlin RIP and Mary Lawlor RIP were founder members. Tony was a former member of Birr Town Council and Offaly County Council and was Chairperson for many years.”
Cllr Egan pointed out that over the years Birr Tidy Towns has gained a lot of local support. They have won many awards ranging from the National Small Towns Pollinator Award in 2016; the IPB Pride of Place Award in 2019; a Silver Medal in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Gold Medal in the 2024 and 2025 competitions.
“On behalf of the elected members of the Municipal District of Birr, I am delighted to be associated with this Civic Reception to bestow a Civic Recognition Award on Birr Tidy Towns Committee for the hard work over the years culminating in winning the Gold Medal in the 2024 and 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns competition.”
The mark awarded in the 2024 competition was 376 out of 500 over eight categories and resulted in their first Gold Medal. The committee succeeded in increasing this in 2025 to 389, and it represents an increase in each category as well as retaining their Gold Medal. “Many congratulations to the committee and all the volunteers without whom none of these achievements would be possible. It's an award for everyone who loves Birr.”
He also congratulated the officers of the committee for their hard work. They are: Chairperson: Eileen Fitzsimons; Secretary: Greg Smith and Bernie Taylor Lynch; and Treasurer: Bernie Fanneran.
“A Chathaoirleach Chomhairle Contae Uíbh Fháilí,” began Director of Services for Birr Municipal District Ann Dillon, “a Chathaoirleach agus a bhaill an Cheantair Bhardasaigh Bhiorra, MEP Nina Carberry, a Theachta Dála John Clendennen, a Dhaoine Uaisle agus thar aon ní eile, baill Choiste na mBailte, Slacht-mhara Biorra – tá fáilte mhór romhaibh uilig chuig an ocáid speisialta seo. We are here this evening to celebrate the hard work and dedication of past and present members of Birr Tidy Towns Committee. Founded over 40 years ago, they have steadily worked their way to winning a gold medal in the 2024 SuperValu Tidy Towns competition, and again this year in 2025.”
The Director said the Tidy Towns Competition is no longer just about tidiness and litter control. Judging is also based on community engagement, protecting nature and biodiversity, ensuring sustainability, and enhancing streetscapes and public places.
“Of the eight categories involved Birr Tidy Towns committee has continued to increase its points year on year, culminating in winning Gold in Category D (which is for towns with a population of 2,500 to 5,000 people) in 2024 and retaining the Gold in 2025 by gaining increased points in each category.
“Birr Tidy Towns Committee is well organised with a core number of active and dedicated members, supported by over 20 additional volunteers, including a Junior Tidy Towns Group. This recognition is for all of you. Your Committee works closely with the staff and management of Birr Municipal District and various community groups and local businesses. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the current and former staff of the Municipal District, and local businesses and groups who have supported you in your important work.”
Ann also thanked the members of Birr MD who have used their General Municipal Allocation to provide some financial assistance to the committee for ongoing works and events. She said the Tidy Towns Committee has great examples of local partnerships with businesses in the town and Community engagement is visibly strong.
Indeed, this year the committee has initiated a very forward-thinking project in the “Solar Meitheal Meeting” aiming to negotiate reduced solar panel installation costs for homes and businesses. “This is just one example of the varied and innovative ideas that your group is involved in and I am very pleased to be associated with this well-deserved Civic Recognition as proposed and agreed by the members of Birr MD. We thank you for your voluntary work and your expertise in making sure the beautiful heritage town of Birr always looks so well. We congratulate you and we look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that Birr remains a beautiful town in which to live, visit or invest. Comhghairdeas ó chroí libh agus táimid ag súil go mór le leanúint den chomhoibriú libh. Go neirí an tadh libh.”
Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy said she was absolutely delighted to have nominated Birr Tidy Towns to receive a Civic Reception in the Birr MD Civic Offices. “As we all know, a Civic Reception is held to officially recognise, honour, and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, groups, or organisations who make a real difference in our communities. Since its formation back in 1984, Birr Tidy Towns has gone from strength to strength. Year after year, they have continued to enhance and improve our town, showing tremendous pride, commitment, and teamwork. Their dedication is clearly visible in every flower bed, every clean street, and every project they take on.
“In 2019, they achieved something truly remarkable - earning Birr’s first ever Tidy Towns medal - and not just any medal, but a silver one. That was an incredible milestone and a moment of immense pride for the entire community. But beyond the awards and recognition, what stands out most is the spirit of community that Birr Tidy Towns embodies. It embodies neighbours coming together, working side by side, and caring deeply about the place we all call home.
“In 2024 Birr Tidy Towns received their Gold Medal and only last week at the National Tidy Towns Awards they received their second gold medal.
“This Civic Reception is a fitting tribute to their hard work and success over the years, and is a way for us to say thank you for everything they’ve done and continue to do, for our town.
“Birr Tidy Towns works all year round, and not just with keeping our Town looking as beautiful as it does but they are also involved with Dancing at the Cottages during Vintage Week, the Christmas Lights, Santa in Green St and so much more. Congratulations to everyone involved in Birr Tidy Towns past and present. You’ve made our community a better, brighter, and more beautiful place for us all.”
“Birr Tidy Towns are an exceptional group doing outstanding work to showcase the very best of Birr all year round,” remarked Deputy John Clendennen, “from Vintage Week Dancing at the Crossroads, to the summer hanging baskets and the Christmas Festival & Lights. Your consistent success in the National Tidy Towns Competition is thoroughly deserved. It's great to see your efforts being recognised at this Civic Reception at the Birr Council Offices, and I’ve no doubt it’s only a matter of time before we see you take the overall national title! Well done to everyone involved, and keep up the fantastic work.”
Cllr Seán Maher said he loves being a member of Birr Tidy Towns. “They are a great organisation to be part of. I'm delighted to see Birr Tidy Towns being recognised here tonight with a Civic Reception. It is long overdue. I want to congratulate all the members who regularly give their time on a voluntary basis. Such volunteerism for a good cause contributes to making the community of Birr the special thing that it is. I believe Birr is one of the nicest towns in the country. We are lucky to have so many beautiful buildings, but the community spirit, the people, are the most important thing. All of us are only passing through and it's important that we do what we can to improve our much-loved town.”
Cllr Peter Ormond congratulated the committee on the magnificent achievement of winning a second Gold Medal. “You were worried your mark mightn't have be as high this year as in 2024, but you in fact increased it. You increased it because you worked so hard. I like the way the competition is structured, divided as it is into several categories, which works well. We in Birr MD deeply appreciate your work because we know how important it is.”
Cllr Eleanor Clendennen said winning two Gold Medals is an indication of the massive amount of work which the members put in each year. “I regularly see you out working on the streets. It's an inspiration.” Cllr Clendennen added that it's been great to see three new businesses opening on Main Street. “I am sure that because the town looks so well, it attracts new business to set up here.”
Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, said there are many great Tidy Towns groups out there “but Birr Tidy Towns is at a different level again. I believe that Birr's economic growth is directly linked to your good work.” He fondly recalled former Councillor and Tidy Towns member Tony McLoughlin “who you would often see out late in the evening bent over picking up litter.” He also praised Cllr Maher's commitment. “Two elections ago Seán lost his seat on the Council but the very next day I saw him again on Birr's streets picking up litter. He wasn't moping after losing the seat but was back out there again doing what he loves, Tidy Towns work.”
Treasurer Bernie Fanneran warmly thanked everybody and said this was a very special and important evening for the group.
Bernie also pointed out that there's going to be a focus on improving the town's approach roads. “We are working with the Area Engineer on this project, which will lift the approach roads to another level. Our idea is to have every tree on the approach roads lit up with lights. It's going to look fantastic and will make people go 'wow' when they drive into the town.”
Bernie also thanked Deirdre Molloy in Birr Civic Offices. “We are always greeted warmly when we come into the Civic Offices, which means a great deal. Deirdre and the staff here are very helpful.”
She praised several people, including joint Secretary Greg Smith, who invests a great amount of time and effort each year in preparing Birr's application for the national competition.

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