Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Minister Joe O’Brien encourages towns in Fingal to participate in the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition
24th March, 2023
Minister for Community Development, Integration, and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, has today (24th March 2023) welcomed his Department’s launch of the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition, and encouraged local Tidy Towns groups throughout Fingal to participate this year.
Since 1958, the competition, which is administered by Minister O’Brien’s Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, has been a pivotal initiative in bringing communities together and addressing some of the environmental challenges we face in modern society.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the competition and is expected to attract one of its highest level of entries to date.
Welcoming the launch of the competition, Minister O’Brien said:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome my Department’s launch of the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition. This year we celebrate 65 years of this fantastic competition, which has become part of the fabric of Irish society.
“The saying ‘ní neart go cur le chéile’, which means unity is our strength, really sums up what SuperValu TidyTowns is all about.
“Once again the focus this year will be on bringing communities and TidyTowns volunteers of all ages together as we effect real change and make our towns and villages better places to live, work, visit and raise a family.”
“Being part of your local TidyTowns group is a great way to get involved in community life, and I would encourage everyone in Fingal to get involved in their local TidyTowns group for this year’s competition.
“Towns throughout Fingal have enjoyed great success in the competition in recent years. Last October, Skerries TidyTowns took home a Gold Medal in the pollinator category in the Regional Awards, and Rush Tidy Towns won a Climate Action award and a Sustainable Development Goals award. I hope that this year will be another successful one for our area.
“I would encourage everyone to reach out to their local group and volunteer, you will be amazed at the benefits to you and your wider community.
“I have seen first-hand how our TidyTowns groups have played a particularly important role in recent years in in engaging and welcoming new members of their community across the country, especially those from other countries – they have been a great example of the role local community groups play in community integration.
“I would also like to thank our partner and sponsor, SuperValu for their continuing support and enthusiasm through their nationwide network of retailers support groups.
“This is SuperValu’s 32nd year of sponsorship of the TidyTowns Competition and they are championing awareness of the competition especially in areas of biodiversity and sustainable living.”
The number of entries is steadily increasing, and many new groups are entering the competition for the first time or returning with new enthusiasm and drive to improve their local areas. The Special Awards also continue to bring an added dimension to the completion and again this year we have an impressive array of special awards with some fantastic prizes.
The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competition is Wednesday, 10th May 2023. Entry forms for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition are available at www.tidytowns.ie and will be emailed to all registered groups. Entry to the competition will only be accepted by email to the tidytowns@drcd.gov.ie address.
Full details of the competition are available on www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie