Just weeks after picking up the Tidiest Large Urban Centre Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition, Ennis has been shortlisted for the inaugural Tourism Towns Award. The pilot competition is being developed by Tidy Towns and Fáilte Ireland to promote the towns and villages that are working hard to enhance their appeal to tourists visiting their local area.

Ennis has been shortlisted alongside Ballyvaughan and Clonakilty, Cork; Dundalk, Louth; Kilkenny, Kilkenny; Killarney, Kerry; Letterkenny, Donegal; Portmagee, Kerry; Trim, Meath; and Westport, Mayo. The overall winner will be announced by Fáilte Ireland in November and will receive a €10,000 grant towards developing itself as a tourism destination. Competition judges will be arriving in Clare today and judging on Friday, 19th October. The judging will involve a presentation by local partners in the initiative including Tidy Towns Committee, Shannon Development, Ennis business and tourism sector and Ennis Town Council. This will be followed by a two-hour walking tour of Ennis. Judges will view first-hand the Ennis tourism product offering and the sense of welcome for visitors from the wider Ennis community.

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Competition judges will be arriving in Clare this Thursday and judging on Friday, 19th October, during a two-hour walking tour of Ennis.

Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Peter Considine commented: "For many years, Ennis Town Council and other local development agencies, along with local business and community groups have worked together to promote the town as an attractive visitor destination. Being shortlisted in the first year of this award scheme is a wonderful vote of confidence in the quality of the tourism product on offer here in Ennis."

(CD)