Tipperary Supports Tidy Towns

Tipperary has a very strong record of participation in Tidy Towns Competition with 80 groups taking part in 2024.

On the attached report 2024 Results Tipperary all entrants it provides the scores under each category for all entrants across the county with the top 5 in each category highlighted.  In addition, on the report 2024 Results Gold Silver and Bronze nationally this showcases all results from all counties, and again this highlights the top 5 in each category.

Thanks to the support of Derek Fanning in Tipperary Volunteer Centre, Derek took the results reports and prepared an individual report for each entrant which are featured in the results letter for each entrant 2024 report.  This individual report provides the entrant with their scores in 2023 and 2024, compared to national in their category.  Derek has also prepared 2 interactive maps and infographics with links to that location’s reports. 

The event was opened by Fiona Crotty, Community team within Economic Community and Rural Development, who reviewed the 2024 results. 

Roísín O'Grady Heritage Officer Tipperary County Council showcase the importance of our heritage and how we within the community can support, enhance and preserve our heritage. 

Ann Marie Fleming Tipperary Biodiversity Officer spoke on Biodiversity, understanding our areas and what a local tidy towns group can undertake to support natural habitats and environments. 

Ruth Smith Tipperary Public Participation Network spoke on PPN membership and the Environmental Pillars.

The group then was facilitated in a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals with all those attending participating in the workshop.

Sara Bourke from South Tipperary Development Company, STDC, spoke on the key programmes on the Local Development Companies and LEADER funding.

Fran Igoe, from Local Authority Waters Programme, LAWPRO, provided the group with information on Nature based solutions and working with Water Biodiversity and Climate Change. 

Fiona Crotty in the final session showcased sensory planting with a planting guide from the Understand Together Dementia campaign.  Across Tipperary Age Friendly are seeking participants across community groups to participate in dementia awareness training and support those living with dementia in County Tipperary to remain active within their own community.  With the sensory planting Tipperary Age Friendly will provide signage showcasing sensory planting and displaying the Understand Together Symbol.

Fiona Crotty, as the Tipperary Age Friendly Programme Manager, also asked each group to consider         undertaking a community memories project, similar to the Understand Together  Sporting Memories where photographs of our villages and towns are used as a community project, provoking conversation and       reminiscing and that each village or town could showcase their own memories, reflect in their application and that it would be the intention to showcase the Tipperary collective as part of Positive Ageing Week 2025.

Fiona Crotty also briefed those attending on a joint project with Tipperary PPN, The Power of Place and People which will commence in Q1 2025 with the Carrick on Suir Municipal District.  Each community group will meet with staff of PPN or Community team to review their groups physical and social infrastructure so that we can build a resource library of physical audit and facilities in the county, understand the community requirements, identify those interested in participating in community response and prepare to address  training needs and requirements. This survey will be undertaken with all community groups registered with Tipperary PPN in the coming months.

Mary MacMahon as chair of Tipperary Older Peoples Council thanked everyone for their participation and attendance and in particular all the speakers on the day who gave of their time and shared their knowledge and expertise.  She hoped that the strong participation today and positive feedback would see the           opportunity for further workshops for the tidy towns groups and also encouraged attendance and           participation with Tipperary Age Friendly in developing policy, actions and attending our events.