Mayo Tidy Towns committees to share €51,000 grant

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has announced a €1.4 million national grant scheme to mark 60th anniversary of the Tidy Towns Competition.

This scheme will allow each Tidy Towns committee to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €3,000 to support the work they do. 38 Mayo towns and villages are eligible to receive a total of €51,000.

Under the scheme, villages are eligible to receive €1,000; small towns are eligible to receive €2,000, large towns are eligible to receive €3,000; and large urban centres are eligible to receive €4,000.

The 38 Tidy Towns groups in Mayo which are eligible for funding are: Achill, An Geata Mór (Binghamstown), Attavally Luffertaun, Aughagower, Ballycroy, Ballyheane, Ballyvary, Bonniconlon, Clare Island, Clogher, Cong, Kilkeeran, Kilmaine, Lecanvey, Balla, Ballindine, Ballycastle, Belcarra, Carracastle, Killala, Knock, Louisburgh, Mulranny, Murrisk, Newport, Shrule, Tonragee, Turlough, Ballyhaunis, Beal an Mhuirthead, Crossmolina, Kiltimagh, Swinford, Ballinrobe, Claremorris, Westport, Ballina and Castlebar.

Minister Ring said: “This €1.4 million investment by the government will directly support the Tidy Towns groups that bring out the best in our towns and villages. I have no doubt that towns and villages across Mayo will benefit hugely from this investment. Wherever you have active Tidy Towns committees, it gives the place a real boost and creates the environment for tourism.

“Earlier this week, I announced the winners of the 2018 Tidy Towns Competition. Six towns in Mayo won awards including Westport which won Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town. Castlebar, Mulranny, Béal an Mhuirthead, Ballina and Binghamstown also won awards.

“This funding is recognition from the Government of the huge contribution made by citizens in their own communities. Tidy Towns groups have made County Mayo and our country as a whole a better place to live in and to visit. The work is carried out on a voluntary basis and we all benefit from it. This investment by the government will further enhance our towns and villages and represents great value for money.”