The overall winner of Ireland's Best Kept Town competition 2017 has been announced.

Rathbarry in County Cork has been named the overall winner and also wwon the Best Kept Village category.

Kenmare, County Kerry, won the Best Kept Small Town category, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh won the Best Kept Large Town category and Antrim Town won the Best Kept Large Urban Centre category.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD said: "Being nominated for these awards represents an achievement in itself, and is reward for your efforts in the SuperValu TidyTowns and the Best Kept competitions. After more than two decades, this all-Ireland competition continues to be a strong recognition of the great pride people have in their own communities, and how local volunteers take ownership of their surroundings and work to improve them, both for now and into the future. Close relationships forged here and in other North South community based initiatives, will benefit discussions in the European institutions with Britain as we prepare for their departure from the European Union."

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Doreen Muskett MBE, President of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the body that organises the Best Kept Awards, said: "The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities, those who work tirelessly to make their surroundings a nicer place to work, live and play in.

My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients. The panel of esteemed judges had a very difficult task in comparing and selecting the eventual winners, which is testament to the stunning towns and villages we are lucky enough to have here."

(CD/MH)