With the crucial June Tidy Towns judging date fast approaching, volunteers from Loughrea Tidy Towns are calling on the community and local authorities to support their efforts in transforming the town.
More than just a community group, Loughrea Tidy Towns is a committed team working year-round to keep the town cleaner, greener, and more welcoming. From planting flower beds and maintaining green spaces to organising clean-ups and promoting sustainability, the group is central to Loughrea’s civic pride.
“For us, it’s about taking pride in where we live,” said chairperson Isabelle Ní Dhuinn. “In a time when community spirit is fading, this work is helping rebuild it in Loughrea.”
The group has been especially busy preparing for June’s judging and tidying up after recent crowds at Loughrea Lake. Their work has become more demanding due to the absence of Galway Rural Development (GRD ) workers, support that other towns still receive.
“All the work falls to us—mostly middle-aged women, pensioners, and students,” Isabelle said. “We really need more volunteers, especially men, to help with the heavier tasks.”
Support from groups like the Scouts, local disability services, and Youthreach students has been vital, especially in the wake of recent vandalism that saw a tree killed, a shrub stolen, and spray paint scrawled across town. “It’s disheartening. It feels like our efforts aren’t valued.”
While official support is limited, local businesses have stepped up. Initiatives like Proud to Keep Loughrea Tidy, donations from Lyon’s Nurseries, Supermac’s-funded planters, and a mechanical weed scrubber purchased with help from Naomh Brendán Credit Union have made a big difference.
“The businesses are fantastic,” Isabelle noted.
To get more locals involved, the group launched Adopt a Spot, a simple idea where residents care for a small area near their home. “It could be a patch outside your house, a tree, a drain, anything,” Isabelle explained. “I look after the road by the graveyard. It’s a long stretch, but it’s clean and looks great.”
For her, that stretch of road holds special meaning. “It’s often the last road people travel on their final journey. It should be beautiful—for them and their families.”
Because in the end, she says, “Tidy Towns is about supporting our community.”
