Improved showing for Athlone in Tidy Towns report

by Navjyoti Dalal

Athlone town fared very well - and was especially praised for its actions on green spaces, nature, biodiversity and sustainability - in the judging of the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition 2026.

Two rounds of adjudication were held to evaluate the town on eight criteria, with Athlone scoring 408 out of 600 points, five fewer than the overall national winner, Ballinahown. The score was a significant improvement on its grade of 391 points in 2025.

The judges’ report praised the town for its public spaces, seated amenities, thoughtfully designed landscaping, green spaces like Wansboro Park and Burgess Park, and for being largely litter-free. Some areas for improvement were also highlighted.

A prominent area of concern, according to the report was the “surprising number of buildings along the main thoroughfare which are in need of remedial work, especially to upper storeys and around their window and door apertures.” It added that “too many shopfronts feature roller window shutters which diminish the visual amenity of their surroundings when in use outside of business hours".

The report pointed out that, even though Athlone featured many seating amenities, consideration should be given to “some age or mobility friendly seating also”.

Overall, the town came in for praise. For instance, the report stated that “the core of the town presents high visual amenity overall with no overhead service cables, attractive street lighting, landscaping, sculpture and heritage information. Saint Peter and Paul's Cathedral (sic) and Custume Barracks continue to dominate the townscape successfully,” while the Luan Gallery was admired for the “elegant simplicity” of its design.

The adjudicators noted that “the new HSE Heartlands Care and Day Centre / Nursing Home is operational and well served by public transport,” and that “redevelopment works are being achieved (or are) in the planning stage both in the town centre and on its periphery which will revitalise Athlone and facilitate it reaching its full potential.”

Wansboro Park was specially mentioned for its recent developments “making it an invaluable asset to the Athlone community,” and its mobility friendly features were also appreciated.

The judges were impressed by the green spaces in and around the town, including Burgess Park, The Promenade, The Greenway, and Ranelagh Way, among others.

As for the community recreational spaces, the adjudicators mentioned the Athlone Regional Sports Centre and the TUS campus as “equally impressive”. The Marina also scored points for Athlone with its good maintenance.

The Athlone Tidy Towns Group received a pat on the back from the adjudicators, who congratulated the group on its success in achieving initial funding for the preparation of a Biodiversity Action Plan for the town and its environs.

The adjudicators added, “Equally impressive is the sponsorship and outcomes of the ‘Green Schools’ (initiative) by the Credit Union. The ‘Clean Commute’, ‘Sustainable Planting’ and ‘Climate Change’ projects undertaken by students from St Mary's NS, Coosan NS and Dean Kelly NS are invaluable at many levels.”

Athlone town's waste management practices were also highlighted, as was the good signposting of the recycling facilities.

But more needs to be done on the signposting front, as “the installation of the new surrounds for the litter bins regarding the Deposit Return Scheme may need further explanation, as at least one noted during the adjudication contained items not included in the scheme.”

The town scored better on all eight parameters in comparison to last year, including tidiness score. The report stated that Athlone town was almost litter-free during adjudication, and that “litter spotted was fresh and incidental, and possibly a consequence of the warm sunny weekend day of our visit with lots of outdoor dining.”

However, the laneways off the main thoroughfare, like The Bawn and Friary Lane were found to be “simply dreary in the appearance of their entrances and retaining walls, and could be remedied by cleaning and / or painting.”

The mural of Old and New Athlone on the retaining walls of the Montree Greenway Tunnel received appreciation from the judging body, which was also impressed by the clean and pleasant condition of the residential estates across the town.

It also intends to follow up on the “outcome of action taken for litter control at the Moldova (shop) bus stop and the on-going dog-fouling initiative.”

Also gaining the adjudicators' attention was the snail sculpture near town centre, and the Social History installation of art works on vacant premises on Connaught Street and surrounding areas, which they believe is an excellent interim initiative pending the buildings’ redevelopment.