Laois County Councillors have called for Abbeyleix to receive a civic reception, following the town’s recent victory.
Abbeyleix was named Ireland’s Tidiest Town at the Tidy Towns 2023 awards earlier this month.
Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy began proceedings at the Council’s monthly meeting, congratulating the town on their magnificent award.
Fianna Fáil Cllr, John Joe Fennelly spoke proudly about the achievement – an achievement he is personally involved with.
“It was a great achievement, with many, many years of hard work gone into it,” Cllr Fennelly said, before thanking all those involved, both in Abbeyleix and in the County Council.
Mary White was singled out for special praise, with Cllr Fennelly noting Ms White had been on the Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Committee for a long time, even before he joined some 25 years ago.
Anthony McHugh and Jonathan Carty also received individual plaudits from the Cllr.
“We have two people who are out there every morning, between five and six o’clock – Anthony McHugh and Jonathan Carty – they’re there every morning picking up litter.
“But everybody in the community played their part in this, and I’m just overwhelmed by the responses that we’ve got.”
Cllr Fennelly concluded by calling on Laois County Council to hold a civic reception to honour Abbeyleix Tidy Town.
The proposal received plenty of support from the Chamber, with many other Cllrs adding their congratulations.
Cllr Ollie Clooney said it is great to see such hard work being rewarded, adding that his native Durrow would be hoping to emulate the achievement.
There was a similar sentiment expressed by Cllr Barry Walsh, who congratulated Abbeyleix and said Ballyroan would also try to follow in their neighbour’s footsteps.
Cllr John King praised Abbeyleix for bringing a national title into the county, saying he was proud of Abbeyleix for highlighting Laois on the national stage.
Cllr Conor Bergin said that Abbeyleix has always been a shining example to the rest of the county, and has now become a shining example to the whole country.
These sentiments were echoed by many other Cllrs in attendance, including Marie Tuohy, James Kelly, Caroline Dwane Stanley, Ben Brennan, Willie Aird, Seamus McDonald, Catherine Fitzgerald, PJ Kelly, and Padraig Fleming.
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