Clonmellon Tidy Towns ready for Pride of Place judges

The volunteers at Clonmellon Tidy Towns work hard at all times, and they have been putting in additional effort recently as they are among the Westmeath finalists for the National Pride of Place Competition.

They are in the ‘300-1000 Population’ category. Judging takes place on Tuesday August 20 from 2pm in St John’s Church, Clonmellon, beginning with a presentation and followed by a tour of the village.

The other Westmeath finalists are Mount Carmel Drive, Moate, in the ‘Housing Estates’ category; and Dun na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park, Moate, in the ‘Community Tourism Initiative’ category.

Judging Mount Carmel Drive starts at 10am on Wednesday August 21 in the Carmelite Pastoral Centre, and that is followed by a tour of Mount Carmel Drive.

Also on Wednesday, at 2pm in the café at Dun na Sí, Moate, there is a presentation followed with a tour of both the amenity and heritage parks.

A spokesperson for Clonmellon Tidy Towns expressed thanks to all those who helped with a clean-up in the village on Saturday week last, and to the young Tidy Towns group, whose members have been out working hard for weeks.

The Tidy Towns had particular thanks for Brendan Leavy, who made a beautiful case for the Pride of Place and Endeavour awards.

“Tidy Towns are proud of their success over the last couple of years, and of the people of Clonmellon who have helped achieve the awards. Pride of Place is here now and we would like to thank everyone for giving time to getting everything ready.”

The Market Square

The Market Square, Clonmellon is the centre of the village, It was built in1835 by the Chapman family of Killua Castle. The gates were removed from the Kilrush entry of the castle to the Market Square by Sir Montague Chapman in 1845.

Market days were held on 28 May, 25 July, 29 September each year. In the 1960s the Euromech Factory was opened by The Town Development Association. Clonmellon carnival was also held here in the late 1960s.

Since 1990, the Market Square Committee has run the space.

In February 2024 the present day committee had the railings and gates removed for refurbishment, with funds accumulated from fair days and rent from tenants.

There is a monthly market, a cafe, a Chinese takeaway, a barber; there are other units leased at a minimal rent to help local people set up businesses.

All income from rent goes towards restoration and the upkeep of the building and yard.

Every Christmas the committee donate to local charities and for the Christmas lights. In recent years they have raised funds for a defibrillator, which is on the gable end of Tom Ryan’s house, and they have trained people how to use it and maintain it.

They are a working committee who manage without funding or grants. They are proud of our achievements to date, especially the project on the gates and railings, which will be appreciated by locals for generations ahead.

Committee members: Michael Tighe (chairman), Marian Tighe (secretary), Brian Duffy (treasurer), Ethna Fitzsimmons, Peter Lynam, Peadar Manning and Cecelia Harris.

Dún na Sí

The team at Dún na Sí said they are “incredibly proud” to be representing Westmeath in the tourism section of the awards.

They said the vibrancy and variety of Dún na Sí will be on display on judging day, and the judges will be invited to explore beautiful woodland trails, wetlands and biodiversity, as well as art and community projects, in the Amenity Park.

They will also get to take a step back in time and see all that the Heritage Park has to offer to its many visitors each year.

A statement from Dún na Sí said that the local amenity is “a result of community, commitment and creativity”.

“This nomination is an acknowledgement of all the volunteers and staff who have made the park what it is today and who are dedicated to its continuous improvement. We are looking forward to showcasing all our park has achieved and all it has to offer,” it said.

This year marks the 22nd consecutive year of the Pride of Place awards, which are organised by the peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance.

The awards ceremony will take place in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Saturday November 2.