Louth in Bloom Awards 2023 celebrate community excellence

Two Drogheda housing estates, Harmony Heights and Wheaton Hall, have won awards in their categories in the 2023 Louth in Bloom Awards while the award for Best Biodiversity Initiative went to Tallanstown Tidy Towns, Maguire Park Community Garden.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Bellingham Castle, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly said “Well done and congratulations” to all the entrants for their unwavering dedication.

“We understand the profound influence of the environment we reside in on our overall well-being. Through your diligent efforts, be it in tending to your gardens or crafting delightful floral displays, you’ve left an indelible mark on your local surroundings and the broader Louth community. Rest assured, the impact of your work should not be underestimated.”

This year’s guest speaker was esteemed environmentalist and Louth native, Éanna Ní Lamhna whose insights added a valuable dimension to the ceremony, underscoring the importance of community involvement in environmental preservation, biodiversity and sustainability.

Winners were selected, per district, in each of the eight categories which included housing estates, best gardens, hospitality, business premises, biodiversity, and sustainable innovation

The Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Ms. Joan Martin congratulated all the prize winners, warmly praising all those who took part in the Louth in Bloom 2023 competition, saying: “This event stands out as a highlight in the Council’s annual calendar. She emphasised her “deep admiration for the dedicated individuals across the county who put in significant effort to preserve and elevate the charm of their towns and villages. It’s one of the driving factors behind Louth’s consistent success in the National Tidy Towns competition each year”, she concluded.

Overall County Winners

• Estates: Harmony Heights, Drogheda (Cat A- less than 50 Houses), Willow Grove, Dundalk (Cat B- 51-125 Houses) and Wheaton Hall, Drogheda (Cat C over 125 houses).
• Best Garden: Róisín Cotter, Carrickarnon, Dundalk
• Best Biodiversity Initiative: Tallanstown Tidy Towns, Maguire Park Community Garden
• Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative: Ardee Tidy Towns, Polytunnel & Rainwater Harvesting  
• Best Presented Business Premises: Quinns Funeral Home, Dundalk
• Best Presented Hospitality Premises: Nelly’s, Drogheda

Borough District of Drogheda

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly, announced the winners for the Borough District of Drogheda.

• Category A (small ) – 1^st Harmony Heights, 2^nd  Killineer Cottages and 3^rd Beaulieu View.
• Category B (medium ) – 1^st Forest Grange,  2^nd Riverview, Mell, and 3^rd Georgian Close.
• Category C (large ) -1^st Wheaton Hall,  2^nd Five Oaks/The View, and 3^rd  Stameen.

Ms. Humphreys Old Farm House won first place in the Best Garden category for her inspirational and colourful garden in Termonfeckin. Other prize winning garden awards went to Mr. John Mc Grane, Duffs Farm and Josephine Moran, Georgian Close, Drogheda. 

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Nelly’s Hotel, Drogheda.  Moore’s Caravan Park won both the Best Presented Business Premises category and Best Biodiversity Initiative with Monasterboice Tourism & Tidy Towns winning the Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative for Olivia’s Orchard.

Dundalk Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District, Councillor Sean Kelly announced the winners in the Dundalk area.  The Estate prizes were awarded to the following (Category A), medium (Category B) and large estates (Category C):

• Category A (small ) – 1^st St. Oliver’s Park, Carlingford, 2^nd Priorland Grove, Dundalk and 3^rd The Bungalows, Lis na Dara, Dundalk.
• Category B )medium) – 1^st Willow Grove, Dundalk, 2^nd Pearse Park, Dundalk and 3^rd Clos Na Manach, Carlingford.
• Category C (large) -1^st Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, 2^nd Manydown Close, Dundalk and 3^rd Lis Na Dara, Dundalk.

Ms. Róisín Cotter won first place in the Best Garden category for her striking and vibrant garden at Carrickarnan, Dundalk.  Other prize winning garden awards went to Mr. John Conachy, Greenacres, Dundalk and Ms. Ann Fennelly, Elm Park, Blackrock.

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Fishy Dishy, Carlingford with Quinn’s Funeral Home on Bridge Street, Dundalk winning the Best Presented Business Premises category, particularly impressing the judges with their beautiful floral displays and hanging baskets. The Best Biodiversity Initiative award went to the Pumping Station Fairy Garden, Mc Entee Ave/Pearse Park, Dundalk and the Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative went to the Pearse Park Medicinal Dog Garden.

Ardee Municipal District

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District, Councillor Dolores Minogue announced the winners in the Ardee area.

• Category A- 1^st An Rian, Annagassan, 2^nd Glyde Road Cottages, Tallanstown and 3^rd Papal Drive, Collon
• Category B- 1^st Ferdia Park, Ardee, 2^nd Cappocksgate, Ardee and 3^rd Beechwood Drive, Dunleer
• Category C- 1^st Sliabh Breagh, Ardee.

Ms. Margaret Thompson and Mr. Peadar Thompson won first place in the Best Garden category for their beautiful garden in Coole, Ardee. Other prize winning garden awards went to Mr. Roderick Rooney, Old Dawsons Demesne, Ardee and Mr. Martin Keelan, Collon. 

The Best Presented Hospitality Award went to Darver Castle, Readypenny and the Best Presented Business Premises award went to Larry Hand & Sons, Main Street, Dunleer.

The Best Biodiversity Initiative award went to Tallanstown Tidy Towns for Maguire Park Community Garden and Ardee Tidy Towns scooped the award for Best Sustainable Innovative Initiative for their Polytunnel & Rainwater harvesting project.