David Stanton, Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, has congratulated communities in Cork East Constituency for their success at this year’s Tidy Towns competition sponsored by Supervalu.

“Cobh and Youghal were awarded gold medals in categories E and F respectively. Cobh came third in its group for towns with populations between 10,001 and 15,000 and Youghal came seventh in its population size of 5,001 to 10,000. Cobh was also commended in the County Awards section of Cork (South). These gold medals represent great achievements for all the volunteers who are involved in Tidy Towns in these two coastal towns, both of which depend heavily on tourism.

“In the Bronze Medal Awards, Castletownroche came third in category B for villages with between 201 and 1000 residents and was also highly commended in the County Awards in the Cork (North) category. In addition to the awards given to Castletownroche village, Nora Ahern of Castletownroche Tidy Towns was highly commended in the Community Heroes section.

“Finally, under the Water and Communities Award sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Local Authority Waters & Communities Office, Glounthaune Tidy Towns won the Midwest & South West section.

“The Tidy Towns competition has been hugely successful since its inception almost 60 years ago. I understand that interest in the competition was at an all-time high this year with 870 entrants. In addition to the four local towns and villages who received awards this year, Tidy Towns groups are active right across Cork East constituency. The groups to be commended for bringing about enormous improvements in our towns, villages and rural areas and for promoting and encouraging community involvement and participation.