Abbeyleix set to bloom on world stage
Hard at work as Abbeyleix prepares for the Communities in Bloom judges
A GLOBAL spotlight will shine on Abbeyleix next week, when judges arrive for the 2025 Communities in Bloom international challenge.
The buzzing heritage town is a hive of activity, as it prepares to represent Ireland in the prestigious contest that involves communities from Canada, USA, Asia and several European nations.
As the countdown begins, the proud winner of the 2023 Ireland’s Tidiest Town title is looking its spectacular best, after weeks of tireless work by Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, local volunteers, community groups, schools and residents, supported by Laois Co Council.
Judges Alain Cappelle from Nieuwpoort, Belgium and Anthony O'Neill from British Columbia, Canada will evaluate Abbeyleix from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 June. The town is in the ‘Small’ category of the competition, along with the village of Pugwash and the town of Yarmouth, both in Nova Scotia, Canada.
First held in 1995 when 29 municipalities took part, Communities in Bloom was established in Canada and has grown to involve hundreds of communities there as well as an international challenge.
The Communities in Bloom slogan is ‘Growing Great Places Together’ and the 2025 competition theme is ‘Edible Gardens’, both of which will be showcased in the beautiful Laois town that is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.
The theme is repeatedly reflected in Abbeyleix with ‘garden to fork’ projects ranging from the apiary and community garden to orchard development, as part of ongoing efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The judges will evaluate the town on six key criteria: community appearance, plant and floral displays, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and landscape.
Laois Co Council chairperson cllr Pádraig Fleming described Abbeyleix as “a shining example of what can be achieved” when a community works together, with its exceptional beauty, biodiversity, innovation and strong sense of identity.
Council chief executive Michael Rainey also wished the county’s heritage capital well, as he said: “Abbeyleix’s success to date is a testament to what can be achieved when a local authority works in partnership with a strong community and where ambition, collaboration and excellence are at the heart of local development.”
During the adjudication, Mr Rainey will give a presentation on the efforts of the local authority and its key collaborative work to support communities. The judges will then be treated to a tour by the Tidy Towns committee and other groups, demonstrating ongoing work to provide real and meaningful environmental solutions that benefit the town now and for the future.
No stranger to the world stage, Abbeyleix represented Ireland and achieved a Silver Award at the International Livcom Awards in 2012. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength in its sustainability and climate action efforts, achieving several gold medals in the Tidy Towns competition before winning the national title and scooping an IPB All-Island Pride of Place Award in 2024 for Abbeyleix Bog.
Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, supported by the county council, is driving many projects that include the development of a ‘Neighbourwood’ and Apiary, a Garden of Remembrance and redevelopment of Knocknamoe House and Park, as well as establishing the town as a Sustainable Economic Community (SEC) and developing policies on pollination and SMART planning for energy conservation.
The community will be rated from one to five blooms based on the scoring obtained and will also aim to win bronze, silver or gold levels in their five-bloom rating.
Laois fingers will be crossed when the national and international results are announced in Stratford, Ontario from 16-19 October but the blooming town has already done the county proud.
