'Never in our wildest dreams' Abbeyleix Tidy Towns in shock after huge win for Laois

Abbeyleix Tidy Towns group are celebrating their long sought trophy as Ireland's Tidiest Town, after a thrilling day in Croke Park in Dublin.

Apart from taking home the big prize and €10,000 in doing so, the committee also secured €5,000 for winning the Best Small Town prize. It also shared a prize fund of €10,000 after receiving a Highly Commended Certificate in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Local Authority Award section.

If that wasn't enough, they were also crowned Midlands & East Regional winners.

Secretary Mary White described their joy and shock when the town was called out at the national 2023 winner.

"We thought we might win Ireland's Tidiest Small Town again, but never in our wildest dreams did we think we would bring home the national trophy from Croke Park.

"We were announced as the Regional Winner and we thought 'that's it', but when the screen showed up the five national finalists and Abbeyleix was on it, we were literally half dead. Then there was a speech for 10 minutes and it seemed like an eternity.

"When they called out Abbeyleix we erupted in Croke Park," Mary said.

It is only the second time that Laois has won the national title of Ireland's Tidiest Town, with Castletown winning it back in 2001.

"All the other Tidy Town committees came over to congratulate us, that's the camaraderie there is in the competition," she said.

"All this couldn't have happened without the support from Laois County Council and the Community Employment Scheme, we couldn't have done this on our own. We are in shock. It's a huge accolade for the town and the county, with Portlaoise winning a gold medal too," she said.

"Abbeyleix was always a lovely town thanks to the De Vesci family who built it, but we've got massive public investment recently, including €135,000 last year that helped replace a row of leylandii with an oak grove of trees grown from the oldest oak in Ireland, 4,000 years old in Abbey Leix estate. It's all about biodiversity, climate action and conservation of shop fronts now," she said.

Robbie Quinn chairperson was unable to attend, as he is occupied with Abbeyleix hurlers who are in the County Final on Sunday.

He is overjoyed at the win.

"I am absolutely over the moon, I'm getting well wishes and texts from far and wide, it's unbelieveable. It's a testament to all the hard work that has been done, this one is for Laois, it puts us all on the map. There is a lot of good work going on in the county.

"I'd like to thank all the businesses and residents of Abbeyleix and Laois County Council for the amazing support. I am delighted for Mary too, she has been the glue that kept us going for a long number of years ever since her husband Reggie was the chair. The committee that went before us built up an amazing foundation. I'm just fortunate that I'm the current chair leading this hard working committee, it is a joy to work on. They are a great bunch of volunteers out every week, and some who come in the early mornings and do their bit. It's about making our town better and more inclusive place to live," Robbie said.

He hopes the county will benefit as a whole.

"Congratulations to Portlaoise on winning the gold, and Durrow was highly commended. A lot of Laois towns and villages are on our tail, there is immense work going on in the county. I hope it can benefit economically, and bring visitors to the county to visit and spend a few quid with this national exposure," he said.

Abbeyleix has been entering the competition every year since 1959.

"We never missed a year, this is a dream come true, everybody is absolutely thrilled," said committee member Cllr John Joe Fennelly.

"We just kept building on what we had every year, trying to tick all the boxes that Tidy Towns want, like our NeighbourWood woodlands, biodiversity, pollinators and climate action. It's gone away from just hanging baskets and flowers. It's a full year round effort.

"We looked at the adjudicators report from last year and worked on that. We couldn't have done this without the support of Laois County Council. We have great volunteers and a very good committee," he said.

'Dedication and hard work' over six decades pays off for Tidy Towns Champions Abbeyleix

The victorious Laois group including Portlaoise and Durrow committees returned by bus to county hall, before heading on to Morrisey's Pub in Abbeyleix for well earned refreshments.

They are hoping it's the first of several wins for the town, with Abbeyleix hurlers playing in both Intermediate and Senior county finals in O'Moore Park on Sunday, against The Harps and Camross.

"If they win there won't be much litter picking done next week. It's probably good the judges aren't coming on Monday because there'll probably be bodies on the ground," joked Robbie Quinn.