Pride in Portlaoise shines through during judges’ visit

ON Thursday 9 July, Pride of Place judges Declan Nelson and John Briggs were welcomed to Portlaoise, with the tidy towns group proudly showcasing the many examples of their dedication and hard work that they believe have transformed Portlaoise into a greener and more sustainable town.

This year, Laois Co Council selected Portlaoise to represent the county in the prestigious IPB Pride of Place competition following the success of Timahoe Male Choir, which won its category in 2025. Portlaoise Tidy Towns group was nominated in the climate action and biodiversity category.

Portlaoise Tidy Towns said that climate action is embedded in many of their initiatives, including tree planting, pollinator-friendly planting schemes, litter reduction campaigns, habitat restoration and support for active travel and environmental awareness.

Vincent Booth, chairperson of Portlaoise Tidy Towns, described the extensive preparations for the day: “We have been working hard to make sure that Portlaoise is shown off at its very best to the Pride of Place judges. Over many years, a variety of programmes and initiatives have led to a blooming town with biodiversity at its heart. Today is an opportunity to showcase this and we hope national recognition for our town will follow.” 

The visit began with a comprehensive presentation at Portlaoise library by tidy towns representatives Vincent Booth (chair), Gerry Browne and Margaret Fingleton, which detailed the climate action and biodiversity actions and initiatives that are in place in Portlaoise, including the A Town in a Garden and the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town concepts, which inform each climate friendly step taken in the town.

Attendees included volunteers, community groups, local organisations, Laois Co Council staff, elected members, Oireachtas members and the newly appointed cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, who was on site to welcome the judges.

The power of collaboration was highlighted between Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Laois Co Council through both the municipal district office and the Portlaoise Town Team, as well as collaboration with businesses, schools, community groups, volunteers, elected officials and Portlaoise residents.

Speaking after the presentation, John Briggs spoke on behalf of himself and his fellow judge and congratulated Portlaoise Tidy Towns on everything it had done. He said: “You have made our job very hard today. The connection between Laois Co Council and Portlaoise Tidy Towns is wonderful. This has been a great presentation and it is a great project.” 

After the presentation, the judges were taken on a walking tour around the town, which included the parklet, swift box and mural, the convent lands, Fitzmaurice place for a look at the heritage elements to Portlaoise’s story, Linear Park, the rainwater gardens, memorial park and burial ridge, the Triogue river and People’s Park, where the judges cycled bolt bikes back to county hall.

The tour finished at An Dún outdoor space, where the Malva Ukrainian Choir and a range of community organisations, including People First Credit Union, Laois Tourism, Laois PPN, Connect Laois and more greeted the judges for music, celebration and a community barbecue.

Clough village is also nominated in this year’s Pride of Place competition and will welcome the judges later this month.