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Tidy Towns competition 2003

Tidy Towns competition 2003

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25/03/2003

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Tidy Towns Competition 2003

PRIZE FUND INCREASED BY A TIDY AMOUNT!
NEW ARCHITECTURAL AWARD

Tidy Towns 2003 was launched today (25 March) by the Department of the Environment and Local Government who administer the competition and SuperValu, the national sponsors. The launch took place in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

The overall prize fund has increased by 13.6% to €142,000 in 2003 making this the biggest and best year yet for the competition. Last year’s €13,000 National prize has increased 15.4% to €15,000 with other awards showing similar raises. The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D., welcomed the renewed sponsorship deal with SuperValu which sees the independent supermarket group committing €1 million in sponsorship fees and marketing spend for the next two years.

2003 also sees the Royal Institute of the Architects in Ireland awarding a prize for a new building which, in the judges opinion, was built using the best contemporary techniques and design. Repak are the new sponsors of the Tidy Towns Regional Awards.

Minister Gallagher said “The competition still retains the vibrancy and ‘get-up-and-go’ attitude which has transformed the physical appearance of so many of Ireland’s towns and cities. Nation-wide entries consistently top the 700 mark every year, testament to the competition’s enduring appeal. Despite this we are still well short of saturation point in terms of the numbers entering. Many towns and villages do not enter Tidy Towns and I would urge those who have not previously entered or those who have dropped out to consider the benefits that Tidy Towns can bring and to enter this year. It’s easy to make a difference”.

Michael Nason of SuperValu said that the enduring nature of Tidy Towns in Ireland, for over forty years, and the competition’s consistent growth and expanding reach, clearly demonstrates its value to the participating towns and villages. “The Tidy Towns competition is actually a unique force in Ireland’s social and economic development. It plays an important role in maintaining the vitality of Irish towns and villages. Centres that participate are clearly better presented and attract greater prosperity than neighbouring ones where the same community spirit does not exist”.