In 2024, Randalstown in County Antrim seized the title of Ireland’s Finest Town. The esteemed all-island contest saw SuperValu Tidy Towns go up against Northern Ireland’s Best Kept rivals. The winners were revealed during a grand ceremony held at Riddel Hall, Belfast. The competition has run for 29 years.
In the triumphant mix were Malin in County Donegal, labelled Best Kept Village, and Roscommon was named the Best Kept Large Town. Apart from its crown achievement, Randalstown also clinched the Best Kept Small Town award, while Derry won the Best Kept Large Urban Centre honours.
In 2018, Randalstown was previously titled the Best Kept Town in Ireland. In the years 2016 and 2023, it received the Best of the Best award and the Best Kept Small Town accolade in Northern Ireland.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys shared her congratulations with the winners at the Tuesday awards ceremony. She voiced sincere commendations for all winners and runners-up in the all-island Best Kept Town contest, adding special praise to Malin for winning the Best Kept Village Category and Roscommon for clinching Best Kept Large Town.
Humphreys further expressed her pride and congratulations to Randalstown, crowned Ireland’s Best Kept Town 2024 along with being the Best Kept Small Town. Derry/Londonderry was acknowledged for bagging the 2024 Best Kept Large Urban Centre category. Humphreys gave a nod to the competition for recognising community spirit and being an excellent cross-border effort.
The efforts of all volunteers from the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition and Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland were hailed, while future community competitors were wished the best. Doreen Muskett MBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, which organises the Best Kept Awards, spoke of the contest as a tribute to those dedicated to enhancing their local environments.
“Please accept my heartfelt compliments to all the laureates of this year’s honours. The respected panel of adjudicators from across Ireland faced a seriously challenging responsibility in evaluating and picking out the ultimate victors, that surely attests to the magnificent towns and settlements we’re fortunate to inhabit on the Irish island.”