Adare has again been judged Limerick’s tidiest town at the 2011 National Tidy Towns competition when the results were revealed on Monday.

The town an overall winner of the competition in 1976 received a gold medal for the second year in a row. Such medals are awarded to towns or villages that finish within 10 points of the overall national winner.

Following an increase in marks of four, Ardpatrick for the second year running has finished second with the national Tidy Towns overall winner in 1994, Galbally again third.

“The awarding of a gold medal is evidence of the strong community spirit that exists in Adare and the commitment to the Tidy Towns which the town has been part of since the 1960s” Michael Brennan, Chairperson of Adare Tidy Towns told the Weekly Observer this week. According to the Chairman “Adare has remained a major player in the competition for so long that it illustrates the commitment of all sections of the community, the schools, business and the local authority”

“The standard is getting higher each year and Development and Tourism interests should recognise the good work being done by the various communities around County Limerick” Mr. Brennan added.

Overall the results brought good news to most areas in County Limerick, Newcastle West showed a sharp increase in mark from 273 to 279 as did Rathkeale where the town’s overall marks increased by five. Kildimo with an increase of 11 marks, Kilmeedy with 10, Strand and Castlemahon with 9 each and Ballyhahill and Shanagolden with 8 each showed the biggest increase in west Limerick. Other areas recording increases include Templeglantine, Glin, Feenagh, Askeaton, Tournafulla, Croagh, Mountcollins, Cappagh and Broadford.

Killarney was named Ireland’s overall tidiest town with just nine marks more than Adare.