Abbeyleix school the big Laois Tidy Towns winner

A primary school in the 2023 Tidy Towns champion town of Abbeyleix has scooped a national title and €2,000 at the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns awards.

While Abbeyleix Tidy Towns were pipped by just five points by winners Carrick-on-Shannon, Scoil Mhuire NS won for the town and county, named as National winner in the Tidy Towns Schools category.

Gold medals were also awarded to Abbeyleix, Portlaoise and Durrow Tidy Towns volunteers.  The medal earned by Durrow marked a significant milestone for the group’s dedicated volunteers, as it was the first time the community's Tidy Towns committee took Gold.

Abbeyleix came first in the county, followed by Durrow in second and Portlaoise in third. Rosenallis won the Endeavour Award after gaining 22 points this year.

Margaret Slevin is the principal of Scoil Mhuire NS. She spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“We are delighted and so honoured, it's such an accolade,” she said.

The school revived its An Taisce Green Schools entries in recent years, winning the green flag in 2024 for water conservation and aiming next for a Transport flag.

All the children in the 270-pupil school are involved in growing vegetables, fruit and herbs in their polytunnel, funded by the local credit union and local businesses.

“I am so proud of the children, right down to the infants everyone grows something. In summer, we have a rota with families coming in to water plants. This October, the children all went home with their own grown vegetables; we call it our edible classroom.

“We have a speech from the Green School Committee every month at assembly.

“Really, it's about creating awareness. We work very closely with Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and they are a huge help, full of knowledge; there's always someone to lend a hand or give advice.

“We are very lucky to be in this community where everyone is so proud of the local environment,” the principal said.
She wants to give particular thanks to school caretaker Pat Gaughan.

“Any suggestions that come from Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, like not using pesticides, he is always so open to, and he works so hard to keep the school looking well,” Ms Slevin said.

She also credits teacher Hazel Thompson as “a powerhouse” creating the school garden 'Ár Spás Glas’'.

The school won €1000 as regional winner, then another €1000 as national winner.

Across Laois, Tidy Towns groups received the following marks for their efforts as follows. SEE BELOW PHOTO.

Laois representatives at the awards in Croke Park.

Points in Category A - under 200 residents:

• Ballacolla 373
• Clough 365
• Emo 365
• Cullohill 350
• Killasmeestia 326
• Spink 302
• Pike of Rushall 283
• Killeen 256
• Rosenallis 238

Points in Category B - 200 to 1,000 residents:

• Durrow 392 
• Clonaslee 364
• Castletown 362
• Borris-in-Ossory 342
• Errill 323
• Ballinakill 266
• Ballybrittas 255
• Killeshin 251

Points in Category C - 1,000 to 2,500 population:

• Abbeyleix 395,
• Stradbally 357,
• Mountrath 352
• Rathdowney 250

Points in Category D (2,500 to 5,000 population):

• Mountmellick 331

Category F (population of 10,000 to 15,000):

• Portarlington 335

Category G:

• Portlaoise 390 

The Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh, was delighted by the results.

“There has been a noticeable improvement in many towns and villages across our county. These successes are a just reward for the significant voluntary contributions of community members and will serve as a yardstick for all other towns and villages to aspire to. A proud achievement for all concerned,” he said.

The Council's CEO, Michael Rainey was also pleased.

“Congratulations to all the Laois towns on their outstanding performances in this year’s Tidy Towns competition. Your pride of place and community spirit shine through in every effort. A special word of praise to our gold medal winners — a truly inspiring achievement for Laois,” he said.

READ ALSO: Abbeyleix and Laois Council blooms on international stage

Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim won the Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, with 400 marks. .
Rosscarbery in Cork won Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Dalkey in Dublin won Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town. Tralee was awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Nationally, Ireland’s Tidiest Town was chosen to be Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim, also winning Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, with 400 marks. They have entered the competition for the past 40 years.

Rosscarbery in Cork won Ireland’s Tidiest Village. Dalkey in Dublin won Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town. Tralee was awarded Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre with all three awarded 399 points each, just four more than Abbeyleix who gained 11 points this year.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said the standard was “exceptionally high”.

There were 600 TidyTowns volunteers at the awards ceremony at Croke Park. A record 929 towns entered the awards this year.