Taoiseach congratulates Ballincollig on Tidy towns triumph

Taoiseach Simon Harris touched down in Leeside last Saturday afternoon to congratulate the volunteers of Ballincollig Tidy Towns (BTT) on their victory the day before.

They won Ireland’s Tidiest Town in the 2024 Tidy Towns Awards, and Tidiest Large Urban Centre. The town also received its 12th gold medal in a row.

The Fine Gael leader’s visit to Ballincollig was welcomed by all three of the party’s general election candidates in Cork North Central. Garret Kelleher, who is both a committee member and a volunteer with BTT, said it was great that Mr Harris had acknowledged the contribution the volunteers had made to Ballincollig.

Honour

“It was a great honour to welcome the Taoiseach to Ballincollig, and it was important that he recognised all that Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers have done for the community,” Mr Kelleher said.

“I was also delighted, as a Ballincollig resident, in the confidence that the Taoiseach has shown in me, in asking me to contest the forthcoming general election for Fine Gael.

“It’s an acknowledgement of the importance of Ballincollig’s addition to Cork North Central, and I will do my utmost to deliver a seat.”

Imelda Daly, who is also contesting the election for the party, said it was “wonderful” that Mr Harris had met the BTT volunteers and congratulated them on their victory in the national competition.

“This is an immense achievement, and one all of Ballincollig should be proud of."

Minister of state Colm Burke, the party’s only sitting TD in the constituency, said Ballincollig’s win had been “well deserved”, and was a credit to BTT chairman Tom Butler and his fellow volunteers.

“There is a real sense of community in Ballincollig and everyone plays a part: The city council, all of the various voluntary organisations, but particularly all the Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers,” Mr Burke said. 

“They really, really have improved Ballincollig dramatically and it has helped business as well.”