Tidy Towns 2025: Kilkenny, Dromiskin and Kilsheelan honoured for leading greenway and active travel projects

The Department of Transport is delighted to sponsor two new special category awards as part of the SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards in 2025, one for Greenway projects and another for Active Travel Projects. The provision of walking and cycling facilities in our cities, towns and villages is critical in providing safe and accessible transport corridors connecting our urban centres for pedestrians and cyclists.  This infrastructure are public assets designed for use by members of the public to undertake trips for a range of purposes – recreational, commuting, travelling to school and undertaking errands.

These routes can offer an opportunity to the local community to showcase the beauty of their local area through their stewardship endeavours. This special category sought to recognise the efforts of TidyTowns Groups in relation to integrating built infrastructure with ecological best practices as well as enriching local community assets.

Three winners were announced at the official awards ceremony held in Croke Park on 17th October with Kilkenny City, Dromiskin and Kilsheelan being recognised for their efforts in championing sustainable travel and greenway initiatives through impactful local projects. These winning projects showcase how walking and cycling infrastructure can promote not just sustainable mobility but also positive social and health outcomes within their local communities. As well as showcasing the beauty of their local area through their stewardship endeavours, these committees have enriched these routes with initiatives including fruit tree planting, pollinator herb beds, acorn boxes, bat talks, removal of alien invasive species as well as the creation of murals in the space. All winners were committed to working with others including their local authority, local employers, disability groups and schools to promote the benefits of active travel and greenways routes within their local communities.

Kilkenny (Mural)

Dromiskin (opening event)

Kilsheelan Blueway (Young persons sowing seeds)