Roscommon County Council has announced the winners of this year’s Greener Spaces Competition, an initiative celebrating School’s and community groups across the county.

The winners were presented with awards at a special ceremony on Thursday, December 4th in the Roscommon Arts Centre. Those nominated were recognised for their efforts in sustainability, biodiversity, pollinator-friendly actions, litter management, and overall maintenance of outdoor spaces.

Now in its third year, the awards recognise dedication and excellence in maintaining and improving the local environment, through climate action, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

Schools and Community Groups involved in the upkeep of school grounds, community gardens, housing estates, burial grounds and other community spaces were invited to enter the competition to showcase their achievements.

Among the winners of this year’s awards are Roxboro National School who were presented with the overall Award for Schools while Lisacul Tidy Towns will be presented with a Best Overall Small Space Award.

The Best Overall Large Space award went to Portrun Development Association for their work on the banks of Lough Ree.

A Best First Impressions award was presented to Tibohine National School while Strokestown Tidy Towns have been successful in the Best First Impressions in the Communities category for the upkeep of their local estates and the Grotto. Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee will once again be recognised with the Best Burial Grounds award.

In the Action for Pollinators for burial grounds, Moore New Cemetery, managed by the local Tidy Towns Group were success while in the same section, the Small Space award again went to Lisacul Tidy Towns for their Sensory Garden, located at the local Church. St. Patrick’s National School in Ballyfarnon were successful in the school’s Action for Pollinator’s category.

This year’s Best New Entry Award was won by Athleague Tidy Towns with the Litter Less Award going to Ballyleague Tidy Towns and their management of their local Riverside Park. The Sustainable Community Award was won by Cloontuskert Development and Tidy Towns Association for the management of a residential estate.

This year’s Litter Less Award has been awarded to Feevagh National School while Threen National School has been successful in the Sustainable Schools Award. The Environmental Impact Award was won by Curraghboy National School. Other schools who will be recognised at this year’s awards include Ballintleva National School and St. Coman’s Wood Primary School.

The competition focused a wide range of criteria, namely the appearance and presentation of outdoor spaces, litter control, sustainability, and enhancing biodiversity and actions for pollinators in schools and communities.

All winning entries were invited to the event, which celebrated their unique achievements. In all, presentations and awards were made to eight schools and eight community groups in a number of categories.

Speaking ahead of the event Cathaoirleach of Roscommon, Councillor Liam Callaghan said the awards were “an acknowledgement of the dedication of local communities who take part in these competitions annually.

“These awards reflect all that is best in our communities who are the living beating heart of our county. The work of Tidy Towns groups is reflective of the major work undertaken by groups supporting people in their community in a wide variety of ways, ensuring people feel valued and cherished.

“By organising competitions like this, Roscommon County Council is encouraging communities and schools to take an interest in their local environment, to have pride in its appearance and to help build a strong community spirit. Protection of our environment and natural resources is vital for all our futures”, said the Cathaoirleach.

Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Shane Tiernan paid tribute to the many estates, Cemetery groups and schools who supported the awards, which he noted, was now an established event in highlighting environmental awareness in the county.

“I wish to warmly commend all of the entrants to this year’s competition. I wish to particularly commend the many school children, their teachers and their parents who have supported the awards.

“These awards complement the annual SuperValu Tidy Towns competition which are supported by our community and voluntary groups who each year participate with great enthusiasm and dedication.

“It is important our pupils have a broad-based education, which is committed to protecting our local environment, whether that is our plant life, animal life or built heritage. It is incumbent upon all of us, to play our part to reduce the impact of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions”, Mr. Tiernan remarked.

Environmental Education and Awareness Officer with Roscommon County Council Jonathan Jones said the Green Spaces Awards, though only in their third year, have grown and expended significantly since their inception: “I’m very encouraged by the level of support for this competition, which incentivise and reward schools and communities for best environmental standards.

“It is hugely significant that our communities and schools are championing best environmental practices in so many ways, encouraging family, friends and classmates to follow suit in pursuit of healthy, clean and living communities. I wish to commend all of our entrants in this year’s competition and thank them for all their hard work and dedication”, said Mr. Jones.

The awards are proudly supported by the Environment section of Roscommon County Council with the support of the local authority’s Biodiversity Officer.

List of Winners for Greener Spaces Competition 2025

COMMUNITIES CATEGORY

Best Overall Burial Grounds  Cloontuskert Cemetery Committee (Cloontuskert Cemetery)

Best Overall Small Space  Lisacul Tidy Towns (Sensory Garden – Lisacul Church)

Best Overall Large Space  Portrun Development Association (Banks of Lough Ree – bus shelter to Cruit point gate)

Best First Impressions Award  Strokestown Tidy Towns Group (Estates and The Grotto)

Litter Less Award  Ballyleague Tidy Towns (Riverside Park) 

Best New Entry  Award  Athleague Tidy Towns  (200m next to Angling Centre)

Sustainable Community Award  Cloontuskert Development and Tidy Towns Association (Residential Estate)

Action for Pollinators (Burial Grounds)  Moore Tidy Towns  (Moore New Cemetery)

Action for Pollinators (Small Space)  Lisacul Tidy Towns (Sensory Garden – Lisacul Church)

Action for Pollinators (Large Space)  Portrun Development Association (Banks of Lough Ree – bus shelter to Cruit point gate)

SCHOOLS CATEGORY

1St Prize  Roxboro National School

2nd Prize  Ballintleva National School        

3rd Prize  St. Comans Wood Primary School

Best First Impressions Award  Tibohine National School           

Litter Less Award  Feevagh National School

Sustainable School Award  Threen National School

Environmental Impact Award  Curraghboy National School

Action for Pollinators (Schools)  St. Patricks National School (Ballyfarnon)