Laois Tidy Towns group reveals eco plan for €10,000 gift from People First Credit Union

Portlaoise Tidy Towns volunteers are celebrating their biggest cash award ever, given to them for a new plan designed to attract eco tourists.

The greenfingered group beat off stiff competition from Abbeyleix Bog Project and Dunamaise Beekeepers, to win the 'Community Champions Award,' a new annual €10,000 cash bursary given away by the People First Credit Union in Laois.

The announcement was made at the People First Credit Unions AGM at the Killeshin Hotel on Tuesday, January 30.

Chairperson Vincent Booth told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that they were surprised to win.

"We were up against The Abbeyleix Bog Project which is such a good project and an amazing place. We were so thrilled and delighted.

"It is the largest amount we have won where we did not have to apply for grants," he said.

He along with Portlaoise Tidy Towns Secretary Catherine Donlan accepted the big cheque on the group's behalf at the AGM.

Vincent described the lovely project planned that won them the cash.

"We plan to use it for a biodiversity walk in Portlaoise, to install information boards and possibly sculptures. It will be informative and educational. We want to showcase Portlaoise more prominently for eco tourism," he said.

The boards will lead walkers on a tour of the rich new biodiversity in Portlaoise thanks to the volunteer group's work. That will include meadows and native trees along the new Southern Ring Road, meadows in the People's Park and on the Esker ridge and the Fitzmaurice Place garden.

A wildlife roundabout in Portlaoise planted by Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Laois County Council with a nature sculpture.

The work will start this year, Vincent says.

"We will be working very closely with Laois County Council as a lot of the areas are on public land. We have a rough idea in our heads but we will be sitting with all the stakeholders. We will start it this year," he said.

Vincent said they first heard about the new award when it was announced at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards, held last November.

As part of their entry, they had to make a video showing how they would spend the €10,000 if won. 

Portlaoise Tidy Towns also won on that night, taking the Overall Impression Town Award at the Laois Federation of Tidy Towns Awards.

The 'Community Champions Award,' a generous €10,000 prize, was introduced to recognize and support the outstanding efforts of local volunteers within People First Credit Union's common bond area of Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Athy and Stradbally.

The group also won a Gold medal at the 2023 National Tidy Towns awards.