Moate's wide street 'a sea of cars'

This year's Tidy Towns report has highlighted the need for Moate's wide main street to be transformed from 'a sea of cars' to a more appealing urban landscape.

"The town centre is of a very wide street which we assume was purposely done in the past to accommodate the fairs. Unfortunately, that wide street has become a car park, which although functionally very useful for the community, does not enhance the streetscape," the report read.

"The correct solution is to design the streetscape to include trees and green spaces for trees and pedestrians, and reduce the amount of car parking. Of course this would be a major project, but one that would transform the streetscape from a sea of cars to a delightful urban landscape."

The town was commended for its existing outdoor nature spaces, with Tuar Ard and Dun Na Sí both being highlighted for creating "major green spaces in your community".

"We saw the Turlough in Dun na Sí; it is well-explained and a wonderful resource for environmental education as is the hide for bird watching," said the adjudicators.

"It is great that you encourage the No Mow May policy to help provide more wildflowers for pollinators. You are correct in highlighting the value of our hedgerows for supporting wildlife."

The town was also praised for their No Posters policy, which adjudicators said "helped to keep the town looking tidy" as all political parties embraced it in recent elections.

"There is much to see in Moate and the community is lucky to have the Tidy Towns group taking such interest in working with volunteers to have it looking its best," the report concluded.