The village is looking resplendent thanks to all the hard work undertaken by the Claregalway Tidy Towns committee. This summer, more flowers were planted, landscaping was done and signs were erected. The following is a report from the official Tidy Towns adjudicators, who visited Claregalway in July and assessed the area on a number of criteria, awarding Claregalway a total of 279 points out of a possible 400 (up nineteen points on last year). The committee is commended on the completion of your excellent projects for the 2016 Tidy Towns Competition and it is great to see the appearance of Claregalway improving as a result of your work. Well done and keep it up!
Community Involvement & Planning
Rannpháirtíocht an Phobail & Pleanáil
Welcome to the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition 2016; Claregalway is an interesting village to adjudicate where the past is very much present in the environment. The Abbey and graveyard are both very well presented and interpreted together with the castle. Thank you for your completed entry form with artistic map courtesy of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir. The Tidy Towns Plan summary submitted is succinct and useful for adudication but a copy of the full plan would be appreciated next year. The long term goal for Claregalway is laudable and the committee of twelve with volunteers as necessary seem well poised to achieve this goal.
Built Environment and Streetscape
An Timpeallacht Thógtha agus Sráid-dreacha
Public buildings within the village are presented to a standard of excellence; both the church and its grounds were admired as were schools. The majority of shopfronts enjoy a good presentation too and the hotels are a handsome feature of the village also. In relation to Claregalway’s long term goal of making the village a great place for everyone in which to live and visit log onto UniversalDesign.ie for inspiration, ideas,guidelines etc on designing buildings and spaces with universal access. Congratulations on the refurbishment of the Castle, it is undoubtedly a great attraction for all. The proposed Heritage Trail will also be invaluable in presenting all that Claregalway has to offer. It was good to note the absence of unsightly overhead wirescape and Claregalway’s attractive streetscape.
Landscaping and Open Spaces
Tírdhreachú agus Spásanna Oscailte
Public art sculpture is impressive and complements other attractive elements of Claregalway. The Castle grounds and associated facilities are excellent. Colourful flower displays and shrubberies at 9 arches and elsewhere around the village complement their environs wonderfully. Where possible choose native species to facilitate biodiversity and be cognisant of the need for seasonal interest. Again you are referred to the web site UniversalDesign.ie.
Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities
Fiadhúlra, Gnáthóga agus Taitneamhachtaí Nádúrtha
Congratulations on the Riverwalk development and the bird survey of its environs, no doubt the list will feature on interpretative panels. The flora survey is equally to be congratulated upon also as is the setting aside of unused land for both to flourish. Consider organising a pollination project for next year’s competition, log onto biodiversity.ie/pollinators. It is good to note the proposed Playground and outdoor development and we wish you every success in bringing these to completion, given. The graveyard is being nicely managed but the roadside boundary wall could be improved. The GAA playing fields and club house together with car park enjoy a good presentation.
Sustainable Waste and Resource Management
Bainistiú Acmhainní agus Dramhaíola Inbhuanaithe
No doubt the committee will be as successful in acquiring the recycling facilities for Claregalway as they have been in the past with other projects. Commendations are due to the teachers and pupils of the schools for their Green Flag success! Your Tidy Days encouragement regarding waste prevention sounds interesting; as you are aware performance in this category is about waste prevention and not just recycling etc. the efficient use of resources is also assessed. The Tidy Towns Handbook is an excellent resource in this respect as is the EPA’s new web site LiveGreen.ie.
Tidiness and Litter Control
Slachtmhaireacht agus Rialú Bruscair
It was a pleasure to note the litter free condition of Claregalway during adjudication; your success in the Cleaner Community Awards is well deserved. It is a wonderful achievement to be able to report that by the end of May 2016 there was no need for a skip compared to 2010 when five skips were needed. The Tidy Days project held every six to eight weeks for approximately two hours is seriously impressive! 27,000 vehicles per day through a village is a lot of through traffic to put it mildly and the committee are to be congratulated on their strategies to manage the resultant problem of litter etc.
Residential Streets & Housing Areas
Sráideanna Cónaithe & Ceantair Tithíochta
Residential developments within Claregalway enjoy good overall maintenance. The An Mhainistir estate had a good overall presentation but some of its green areas could have been better managed. The committee’s working relationship with residents associations is fruitful. Keep reminding householders to pay attention to their roadside boundary walls and areas immediately outside of these.
Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes
Bóithre Isteach, Sráideanna & Lánaí
The southern entrance (N18) to Claregalway featured an excellent standard of presentation for green areas, name plates, road signage, road surface and footpaths. The large Welcome stone on the Tuam entrance and well surfaced road and footpath together with attractive landscaping created and equally good first impression of Claregalway.
Concluding Remarks
On adjudicating Claregalway your adjudicator has decided to return for pleasure, a short holiday or weekend break would be nice in your most interesting village.
