Rosslare (322 marks) has dethroned Ballycanew (320) as Wexford’s tidiest village in the National Tidy Towns’ announcement made in the Helix, Dublin, today by the Minister for Community and Rural Development, Michael Ring T.D. Blackwater came in third with 319 marks. The county awards carried prizes of €1,000, €800 and €500, respectively.
There were also a number of other successes for Wexford groups with Enniscorthy winning the €5,000 Architectural Services Award.
Mary Gethings, Ferns Supervalu Tidy Towns was the overall winner of the Community Heroes. She also won a ‘highly commended’ award in the same section, as did Lili Masterson, Ballycanew.

Rosslare Strand is Co. Wexford’s tidiest village in the National Tidy Towns’ awards.

An Endeavour Award for the highest percentage improvement in marks went to Rosslare Harbour with 4.4%. There was a silver medal worth €700 for Wexford town and bronze medals (€400) for Rosslare and Enniscorthy.
The adjudicator’s report said the Rosslare submission “is clear and well laid out, in addition to being very methodical and easy to follow. Your map this year has the features that we need.”
“On your main street, the trio of eateries, Wild & Native, Mia’s Café, and Kelly’s Deli formed a bright, colourful and well maintained streetscape, enhanced by their nice signage. The bicycle outside Kelly’s added a nice traditional touch. While the Centra on the corner was bright and clean, the plastic generic signage took from this prominent area.”
In the concluding report says Rosslare is really embracing the Tidy Towns competition and the results are there for all to see. “You have much to celebrate.”
FULL REPORT OF WEXFORD ENTRIES IN NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS’ 2018;

CATEGORY A (under 200 population)
Duncormick 310
Bree 308
Ballyduff 306
Foulksmills 305
Marshalstown 269
CATEGORY B (201-1,000 pop)
Ballycanew 320
Blackwater 319
Clonroche 312
Kilanerin 300
Kilmuckridge 298
Ballymurn 297
Askamore 292
Monageer 282
Coolgreany 278
Camolin 268
Courtnacuddy 267
Killanne 262
Hollyfort 260
Oylegate 260
Wellingtonbridge 253
Bridgetown 251
Courtown Harbour 249
CATEGORY C (1,001-2,500 pop)
Rosslare 322
Rosslare Harbour 308
Ferns 296
Bunclody 290
CATEGORY D (2,501-10,000 pop)
New Ross 295
CATEGORY F (10,001-15,000 pop)
Enniscorthy 309
Gorey 306
CATEGORY G (15,001-25,000 pop)
Wexford 314