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The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today congratulated Enniskillen as worthy winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Town 2022 Competition, following an awards ceremony in the Titanic Hotel, Belfast.
Speaking after the announcement, Minister Humphreys said:
“I want to congratulate all of the winners and nominees in the all-island Best Kept Town competition. In particular I would like to congratulate Enniskillen, Inistioge, Abbeyleix and Lisburn for winning awards in their respective categories. The All-island Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities all across the island. Set up in 1995, this year we celebrate its 25th anniversary of cross border collaboration, partnership, and most importantly, friendship.”
The Minister continued:
“Unfortunately, the competition did not proceed in 2020 or in 2021 as a result of the pandemic. However, that did not stop the tremendous effort put in by community groups across the island. Even during lockdown, towns and villages were maintained and volunteers all across the island continued to put in a huge effort on behalf of the places where they live. Being nominated for these awards represents an achievement in itself, and is recognition of the efforts made by volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland.”
Doreen Muskett, MBE, President of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, which organises the Best Kept Awards, said:
"Throughout the pandemic thousands of volunteers and gardening enthusiasts kept our towns, villages and the country looking its best. These awards illustrate and emphasise how much voluntary work is undertaken to keep our Towns and Villages throughout Ireland beautiful and how the community works together to make where they live desirable. These awards create links between community involvement, our natural environment and our wellbeing, helping us to recognise the value of our biodiversity and coming together to play our part in making our own parts of the country places we are proud to call home.”
| Large Urban Centre | Large Town | Small Town Category | Village Category |
| Overall Winners | |||
| Lisburn, Co. Antrim | Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh | Abbeyleix, Co. Laois | Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny |
| Finalists | |||
| Dundalk, Co. Louth | Tramore, Co. Waterford | Birr, Co. Offaly | Castlecaulfield, Co. Tyrone |
| Athlone, Co. Westmeath | Raheny, Co. Dublin | Ahoghill, Co. Antrim | Abbey, Co. Galway |
| Belfast City Centre | Donaghadee, Co. Down |
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council initiated Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competition in 1995.
The objective was to help raise the profile of both the SuperValu TidyTowns and Northern Ireland's "Best Kept" competitions, and improve the appearance of towns and villages across the Island.
All entrants were marked against strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment.