Ireland’s Tidiest Town title is “definitely coming to Buncrana” and is only a matter of time, said the chairman of the Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative, Gerard Porter, after they were narrowly pipped to the overall national title by Carrick-on-Shannon.
Gerard was delighted with Buncrana’s result and effort after improving by 16 points from last year to 398 points in 2025 and being only two points behind the County Leitrim winners.
“We’re in the top 10 towns in Ireland. We’re up there, and it’s just a matter of time before Buncrana gets the large town category and the overall Tidy Towns of Ireland.
“It’s definitely coming to Buncrana. It’s just a matter of time.
“If we keep this momentum, we just tweak a few things, and Buncrana will be lifting the title very soon.
“We really are delighted to be up 16 points this year and up 13 points on the year before. That’s 29 points in two years. It’s very hard to get points whenever you’re at the top of your game. When you’re in the top 10 towns in Ireland, you are really scrutinised.”
“They look for everything. It’s not just about lifting litter anymore and having the place tidy. It goes through all different things, your biodiversity, what you are doing for the circular economy, recycling, sustainability, approach roads, and residential streets. The Judges went out as far as Cockhill Bridge when they visited.”
Buncrana was also a finalist in the the ‘large town’ category but lost out to Dalkey in County Dublin.
“They’ve been up there trying, they’ve been finalists the last few years,” Mr Porter said, referring to Dalkey. “Last year, they lost out. We’ll get our turn too.
“I am also delighted to see that Moville has got its gold medal.”
Gerard was full of praise for Buncrana Tidy Towns volunteers, “who are going out 52 weeks of the year in all weather. We don’t stop in the winter, and we’ll be planning for next year and doing other projects during the winter.”
“I am also delighted with all the other groups that tie in with Buncrana Tidy Towns and help us achieve this award. I’d like to thank Donegal County Council and all their different departments that help us throughout the year, whether it be financially or in other ways.”
Gerard is delighted with a 10th consecutive gold medal, but knows that the title is within touching distance. “We were two points behind the overall winners, and all anyone needs when that close is some judge to give an extra couple of points for some small little thing and you’re right up there.
“Even to be in the finals two in the large town category. That’s like getting to the final and getting beaten by a goal; it is just so close.”
Chairperson of Moville Tidy Towns Committee, Marian McDonald, said they were delighted to pick up a gold medal but also somewhat shocked. “We got out of it, what we put into it,” she said yesterday. “We are just overwhelmed, and it was all pure hard work.”
In recent times, Moville Tidy Towns Committee, made up of five members, has erected granite seats and benches on the town’s Shorefront. Separately, a bicycle repair area has also been set up on the Shorefront. Marian states that it really is the hard work of the committee and several other people in the town who made it possible.
“We were out at all times every morning, litter picking and encouraging everyone to paint their premises. Committee member John Logue is out at five o’clock every morning, watering the plants and deadheading and weeding.”
“We would have to give special thanks for all the assistance we got from Councillor Martin Farren. Also, from the two council boys, John and Seamus, from Donegal County Council. Paddy Joe Breslin was a volunteer; he was out at all times as well.
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Moville Tidy Towns also had special mentions for several other people, including Moville Community College TY students who help out and Cosy Cottage, who allow MTT to claim the levy on bottles and cans on the Deposit Return Scheme that they collect. This has generated in excess of €2,000. They also serve free tea and coffee to MTT members following their weekly clean-up
Moville won a silver medal in the 2024 and bronze in 2023. This was their first gold medal, and a sign of the great work that is being done by the group.
