Ballinahown in Co Westmeath has been named the overall winner of the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns competition, recognising the community’s work to improve its village and local environment. The result is among the latest Ireland headlines from Friday’s awards ceremony at Croke Park.
Ballinahown takes top TidyTowns prize
The Westmeath village received the overall national award at a ceremony attended by more than 600 volunteers from communities across the country. Ballinahown also won the category for Ireland’s tidiest village, making it a double success for the local TidyTowns group.
The annual competition celebrates volunteer-led projects that improve the appearance, sustainability and community life of towns and villages. Entrants are assessed across a range of areas, including streetscapes, green spaces, biodiversity, tidiness and community participation.
Other major 2026 TidyTowns winners
Several other communities were recognised in the main national categories:
- Buncrana, Co Donegal: Tidiest Large Town
- Abbeyleix, Co Laois: Tidiest Small Town
- Ballinahown, Co Westmeath: Tidiest Village
- Tralee, Co Kerry: Tidiest Large Urban Centre
More than 220 prizes were presented across the competition’s categories. The awards included approximately €270,000 in main prizes and a further €70,000 in special awards.
- The 2026 ceremony was held at Croke Park.
- Ballinahown won both the overall title and Tidiest Village.
- More than 30,000 volunteers participated in TidyTowns projects during the year.
- The competition has been running nationally since 1958.
Why the TidyTowns competition matters
The TidyTowns programme is one of Ireland’s longest-running community initiatives. Around 30,000 volunteers took part in hundreds of projects during the year, contributing an estimated economic value of almost €40 million.
Although the competition focuses on presentation and environmental improvements, its impact extends beyond judging day. Local groups often coordinate clean-ups, planting schemes, heritage projects, pollinator-friendly spaces and improvements to public areas. These efforts can strengthen civic pride while making communities more attractive places to live, work and visit.
For smaller villages in particular, the competition provides a platform to highlight sustained voluntary work that may otherwise receive little national attention. Ballinahown’s success places the Westmeath community at the centre of Ireland’s community news and rural development story.
A competition with roots in Ireland’s spring-cleaning campaigns
The national TidyTowns initiative began in 1958 under Bord Fáilte, the organisation that was later renamed Fáilte Ireland. Its origins can be traced to a nationwide spring-clean campaign held between 1953 and 1957.
Since then, the competition has developed into a major annual event involving communities throughout the Republic of Ireland. It is organised through the Department of Rural and Community Development, whose minister, Dara Calleary, presented awards at this year’s ceremony.
Celebrating volunteers across the country
The 2026 event was hosted by RTÉ sports presenter Marty Morrissey. While the winning communities received the headlines, the ceremony also recognised the wider network of volunteers whose work supports the programme.
Projects are typically planned and delivered locally. Volunteers may spend months maintaining public gardens, removing litter, restoring features, supporting biodiversity or working with residents, schools and local organisations. The scale of participation shows that TidyTowns is not simply an annual judging exercise; it is an ongoing community effort.
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What happens next for Ballinahown?
Ballinahown’s national title is likely to bring added attention to the village’s projects and encourage continued participation in future TidyTowns campaigns. The award also gives residents an opportunity to share the approaches that helped the community succeed.
The competition’s wider impact will continue through local initiatives planned and maintained by volunteers. For communities that take part, the strongest results usually depend on consistent work throughout the year rather than one-off improvements before judging.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 TidyTowns competition?
Ballinahown in Co Westmeath won the overall 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns competition.
Which community was named Ireland’s tidiest village?
Ballinahown also won the Tidiest Village category.
Where were the 2026 awards presented?
The awards ceremony took place at Croke Park on Friday, October 23rd, 2026.
How long has TidyTowns been running?
The national competition has been running since 1958, following earlier spring-clean campaigns during the 1950s.
Conclusion
Ballinahown’s victory is a significant piece of Breaking News Ireland, but the achievement also reflects a much broader national effort. From Westmeath to Donegal, Laois and Kerry, the 2026 TidyTowns awards highlight how sustained volunteer work can transform public spaces and strengthen local identity. The clearest takeaway is that Ireland’s tidiest communities are built through year-round participation, not a single awards ceremony.