Ballinahown is Ireland's tidiest town!

Ballinahown has been named Ireland's Tidiest Town at the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Awards this lunchtime.

It's the first time Ballinahown won the top overall national award, and is the ultimate recognition for years of hard work in improving the attractiveness of the picturesque village.

Earlier in the ceremony, the Westmeath village had taken the Ireland's Tidiest Village category award, which then saw it go forward as one of four finalists for the overall award.

At a ceremony in Croke Park, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary then announced Ballinahown as the winner of the overall award.

Speaking to host Marty Morrissey, a delighted joint chairperson of Ballinahown Tidy Towns, Aoife Farrell, paid particular tribute to Helen Conneely who has been making a huge contribution to the tidy towns effort locally for many years.

Ballinahown also took a special national 'Water and Communities' award as well as being chosen as the county award winner for Westmeath and the Midlands & East regional winner.

Abbeyleix in Laois was Ireland's Tidiest Small Town, Buncrana was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Town, and Tralee as Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

Ballinahown was a gold medal winner, along with Athlone and Tyrrellspass, while a silver medal went to Mullingar.

Gold, silver and medals are awarded to entrants subject to being within a certain points range to the overall winners in their population category.

In Roscommon, the county award went to Keadue, which also took a gold medal with Ballintubber and Roscommon. Silver medals went to Castlecoote, and bronze to Cloontuskert and Tarmonbarry.