Two Laois towns recognised in nominations for Pride of Place Competitions

Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Clough Village, Ballacolla have been selected to represent Laois in this year’s IPB All-Island Pride of Place Competition, recognising the outstanding commitment, innovation, and community spirit demonstrated by volunteers across both communities.

The IPB All-Island Pride of Place Competition, organised in association with Co-operation Ireland, recognises and celebrates communities that work together to improve the places where they live through volunteerism, environmental stewardship, inclusion, heritage, and community development.

Portlaoise Tidy Towns was nominated in the Climate Action and Biodiversity category, a grouping which recognises a communities dedication to enhancing their town through environmental improvement, climate action, biodiversity initiatives, and community engagement.

In Portlaoise this year, volunteers have worked to maintain and enhance public spaces through tree planting, pollinator-friendly planting schemes, litter management, habitat creation, educational programmes, and partnerships with local schools, businesses, community groups, and Laois County Council.

Clough Village was nominated in the small community/ population 0-300 category, a grouping which recognises exceptional community spirit and collaborative approaches to village life.

The village has benefited from the dedication of the Clough Tidy Towns Group, whose volunteers have transformed public spaces through landscaping, planting, biodiversity projects, and ongoing environmental improvements. Efforts which were contributed to by the local GAA club, schools, community organisations, businesses, and many individual residents.

Reacting to the news, Georgina Ireland, Acting Director of Services at Laois County Council said:

“The selection of both Portlaoise Tidy Towns and Clough Village highlights the strength of community volunteerism across County Laois and reflects the countless hours contributed by local people who generously give their time to improve their communities. Their achievements demonstrate the positive impact that collaboration, local pride, and leadership can have in creating sustainable and inclusive places where people are proud to live.” Representatives from both communities will now welcome judges from the IPB All-Island Pride of Place Competition this month, providing an opportunity to showcase the many projects, partnerships, and initiatives that have contributed to their success.

Results are expected at a Gala Awards ceremony which will be hosted in October of 2026.