Birdhill in Co Tipperary has scooped gold at the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition.

Birdhill was named Irleland's Tidiest Town 2017 at the awards ceremony at The Helix in Dublin.

Other winners included Clonakilty, Co Cork which received the award for Ireland's Tidiest Small Town. Westport, Co Mayo, received the award of Ireland's Tidiest Large Town, while Ennis Co Clare was again declared Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Birdhill; a really worthy winner. Three other Tipperary villages have won this award, but it is the first time for Birdhill. The village has consistently entered the competition since 1991 and in the intervening years have steadily concentrated on all aspects of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and today, all that effort has paid off.

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"TidyTowns is an excellent example of community volunteering and building strong links which enables citizens to have a say in how their community develops. The competition epitomises what my Department was created to do - to focus on developing vibrant and sustainable communities, in both urban and rural areas. My congratulations go to Birdhill and all of the other deserving prize-winners announced today. The enthusiasm of all those involved in the TidyTowns effort results in the attractive, well cared-for towns and villages we see throughout the country."

(CD/MH)