Community aims to ‘polish the gem’ that is Abbeyleix on the world stage

Abbeyleix is always active, but it is sure to be frenetic this week as the community welcomes judges for the 31st edition of the International Communities in Bloom competition.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, with the support of local people, businesses, agencies, and Laois County Council, is participating in the International Challenge Small category of the Canadian-founded initiative.

The Laois town is competing with the village of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada and the town of Yarmouth, also in Nova Scotia.

The Communities in Bloom judges, Alain Cappelle from Nieuwpoort, Belgium and Anthony O'Neill from North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada, will be evaluating Abbeyleix when they visit Ireland on June 26, 27 and 28.

Having been named Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2023, Abbeyleix was chosen by the Department of Community, Rural Development and the Gaeltacht to represent Ireland internationally in the 2025 Communities in Bloom.

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit, volunteer, partnership-driven organisation that uses a multi-tiered competitive evaluation process to foster community strength, involvement, and continuous improvement.

The organisation's vision is to inspire all communities to enhance the quality of life and environment through people and plants to create community pride.

“Growing Great Places Together” is its slogan.

Renowned for its rich heritage, vibrant community life with a commitment to sustainability, Abbeyleix has certainly earned its place in the competition.

Abbeyleix is no stranger to the world stage, having represented Ireland and achieved a Silver Award at the International Livcom Awards in 2012. Since then, the town has gone from strength to strength in its sustainability and climate action efforts, achieving several gold medals in the Tidy Towns competition and winning an IPB All-Island Pride of Place Award in 2024 for Abbeyleix Bog.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Group, supported by Laois County Council, is driving many projects including the development of a ‘Neighbourwood’ and Apiary, Garden of Remembrance, redevelopment of Knocknamoe House and Park, and the jewel in their crown, the Community Garden, as well as establishing Abbeyleix as a Sustainable Economic Community (SEC) and developing policies on pollination and SMART planning for energy conservation. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

This year’s competition theme is ‘Edible Gardens’. This fits with Abbeyleix’s many ‘Garden to Fork’ efforts, including the Apiary, Community Garden, orchard development and efforts to mitigate, and adapt to, the effects of our changing climate in local community, business and residences across the locality.

The Judges will evaluate on six key criteria: community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, plant and floral displays.

The community will be rated from 1 to 5 Blooms, based on the scoring obtained. Abbeyleix is aiming to obtain Bronze, Silver or Gold levels in the 5-Bloom rating system.

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Chairman Robbie Quinn spoke recently on the Ceol and Craic podcast, which is presented by Abbeyleix native Mark O'Brien and goes out from Toronto and which has a big Irish following in Canada.

He said the judging will differ from Tidy Towns as the committee knows when the judges will arrive. He said it also differs in that the council's role will be adjudicated upon.

He hoped that the 'amazing' support from the council would help the community 'polish the gem' that is Abbeyleix. MORE BELOW INTERVIEW.

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Councillor Pádraig Fleming expressed full support for the town’s bid in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“Abbeyleix is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community works together. Their entry into the Communities in Bloom International Challenge showcases not only their beauty and biodiversity but also their innovation and strong sense of identity. Laois County Council is honoured to support their efforts,” he said.

Michael Rainey, the council's CEO, also backed the town.

“Abbeyleix’s success to date is a testament to what can be achieved when a local authority works in partnership with a strong community and where ambition, collaboration and excellence are at the heart of local development. We commend the people of Abbeyleix for their leadership and vision and look forward to welcoming the Communities in Bloom judges to Laois,” he said.

So, as the clock ticks down, everyone in the community is reminded to play their part by ensuring the town and every property is ship shape for the judges.

The National and International results will be announced in Stratford, Ontario Canada from October 16th to 19th 2025, during the National Symposium and Awards Ceremonies.

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