Amazing Abbeyleix wins award in Canada
Amazing Abbeyleix has done it again. File image
AMAZING Abbeyleix has won an international award at a glittering ceremony in Canada.
The beautiful heritage town scooped the International Community Involvement award, in the world-famous Communities in Bloom/ competition.
Abbeyleix represented Ireland in the prestigious contest that involves communities from Canada, USA, Asia and several European nations. The national and international awards event is being held in Stratford, Ontario from 16-19 October.
A message from the Abbeyleix delegation at the awards ceremony in Canada last night declared: ‘WOW. Delighted to advise we have just been announced as International Community Involvement winner, at the community awards dinner this evening at Communities in Bloom.
‘This one is for our wonderful community and volunteers in Abbeyleix and Laois. A special mention to Laois Co Council for their ongoing support. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.’
Spink Comhaltas said on social media: ‘Massive congratulations to the entire Abbeyleix Tidy Towns Team! In addition to the national recognition they have received over many years, and European recognition, they have now firmly planted our Heritage Town on the map in Northern America.’
Judges were hugely impressed when they spent three days in the immaculate heritage town last June. The proud winner of the 2023 Ireland’s Tidiest Town title looked its spectacular best, thanks to 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 evaluated Abbeyleix 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 was ‘Edible Gardens’, both of which were 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 evaluated the town on six key criteria: community appearance, plant and floral displays, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and landscape.
