Minister Calleary announces €1.5 million funding for TidyTowns groups
Funding will support 1,000 TidyTowns groups nationwide
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, attended the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns Competition awards ceremony on Friday 23rd October, where he announced Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath as the overall winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2026.
Minister Calleary also announced the allocation of €1.5 million in funding to support the work of almost 1,000 TidyTowns groups nationwide. This funding is intended to aid groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit. This announcement brings the total amount allocated to TidyTowns groups since 2017 to €14 million.
Announcing this funding, Minister Calleary said:
“I recognise the vital role of our 30,000 plus TidyTowns volunteers who work extremely hard year-round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and raise our families. The passion and dedication of these volunteers is the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities.
Investment in our communities reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the 936 groups who entered this year’s SuperValu TidyTowns Competition.”
TidyTowns groups who entered the competition in 2024, 2025 or 2026 will be eligible to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000. This funding is intended for groups to aid with their preparations for the 2027 competition and can also be used for projects with a sustainability and biodiversity focus.
The Minister concluded:
“The focus on sustainability and biodiversity initiatives are particularly impressive and important for us all. The funding from my department will help Groups continue with their inspirational efforts to transform their communities and the local environment.”
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and sponsored by SuperValu who have sponsored the competition since 1991.
Full details of all this year’s winners are available at www.tidytowns.ie and at www.supervalu.ie. A list of all the Tidy Towns groups eligible to receive the grant funding is also available at www.tidytowns.ie