Mayor hails voluntary effort in town's win

Ennis mayor Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said yesterday an annual spend of almost €1 million by the town council was vital in ensuring that Ennis is now the tidiest town in Ireland.

Speaking after Ennis received the award yesterday, Cllr Neylon said: "The spend of almost €1 million and the incredible voluntary work carried out by the Tidy Towns committee helped us win the day. This is a great day for Ennis. It is a clean sweep for the town in the various awards we have won, and is reward for the many years' work by everyone involved."

Chairman of Ennis Tidy Towns Donal Griffin forecast massive spin-offs for Ennis as a result of the win.

"The win is absolutely magnificent, especially when you take into account how hard it is to keep Ennis's 13th century narrow streets clean," he said.

Both Mr Griffin and Cllr Neylon questioned the criteria used by the Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) group in its litter surveys, after its most recent survey found Ennis one of the dirtiest towns in Ireland - with Cavan the cleanest.

"I don't know what criteria Ibal use," said Mr Griffin. "I would like to meet with them and sit down and discuss how they can come to such findings."

However, chairman of Ibal Dr Tom Cavanagh yesterday stood over Ibal's survey which found Ennis one of six litter blackspots in Ireland - it came 53rd in the 56 towns surveyed.

"It is like comparing oranges and apples when comparing the Tidy Towns and the Ibal survey. Litter control accounts for only 40 out of 300 points, or 13.5 per cent, in the Tidy Towns competitions, whereas we are all about litter.

"In the survey carried out on our behalf by An Taisce, the report is backed up by photographic evidence of 10 sites around Ennis.

"Our survey operates 12 months of the year, while we also give no advance warning, whereas in the Tidy Towns, the people involved have a fair idea of when their town will be visited by the judges."

However, Dr Cavanagh added: "I am delighted for Ennis."

Chief executive of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce Rita McInerney said: "Winning the Tidy Towns is a tremendous boost to the community of Ennis, both residential and business.

"It highlights the town as a pleasant and progressive place to live, work and visit."

Ennis taxi driver Martin White said yesterday: "To win Ireland's Tidiest Town is absolutely unbelievable.

"The Tidy Towns committee deserve great credit. It is a pleasure to work on the streets of Ennis. It is a fantastic achievement."