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Birdhill, Co Tipperary. Google Maps.

This is Ireland's tidiest town

The town in the west of Tipperary picked up the prestigious award this afternoon.

BIRDHILL IN TIPPERARY has picked up the award for being Ireland’s tidiest town in 2017.

The town in the west of Tipperary close to the River Shannon earned the prestigious title this afternoon.

It came first out of a record 870 towns that were entered into this year’s SuperValu National TidyTowns competition.

The winner was announced at a ceremony in the Helix in Dublin by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring.

Birdhill also scooped the award for Ireland’s tidiest village.

Clonakilty in Cork picked up the prize for Ireland’s tidiest small town; while Westport in Mayo was named Ireland’s tidiest large town. Ennis in Clare again was declared Ireland’s tidiest large urban centre.

“Fantastic achievement”

Commenting on the award, Minister Ring said it was a “fantastic achievement” for Birdhill.

“Three other Tipperary villages have won this award, but it is the first time for Birdhill,” Ring said.

The village has consistently entered the competition since 1991 and in the intervening years have steadily concentrated on all aspects of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and today, all that effort has paid off.

Ring said that the Tidy Towns competition was one of the most “recognisable environmental initiatives in Ireland” and that it encompassed a way of life in the country.

“That is why I am delighted to see this competition continues to attract great interest after almost 60 years,” he said.

The TidyTowns competition is organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu since 1992.

Skerries in Dublin picked up the top prize last year.

Read: This Cork village claims it could raise €19,000 per day if it fines everyone who litters

Read: These are the ‘best kept’ towns in Ireland

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37 Comments
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    Mute John Jim Jataa
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:58 AM

    Little known fact about the metal man.
    It was commisioned by lloyds of london, an insurance company in the early 1800′s
    An elegant dandy in tight white trousers with a limp wrist pointing downwards towards the rocks below was invaluable signal to gay seamen looking for a place where they could freely express their sexuality.The secluded Guillamene bathing area (famous for its man only sign which stands until this day) became particularly popular. The otherwise clandestine gay community had found a place where they could meet with like-minded people without being judged. The village of tramore, with its many watering holes and its proximity to the port of waterford became a haven for gay men and ‘loose’ women who could relax from the constraints of Victorian society.
    This unique history has been blotted out by the powers that be, its not a history they want associated with the town. i say, embrace it, celebrate it, recreate it……. it may just be the pull tourists are looking for……

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    Mute mogwa
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:33 PM

    I want this on a plaque in Tra.

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Feb 21st 2013, 9:30 AM

    Fantastic, really unique structures. I once read a history on the Metalman (apologies, I can’t remember the source) but I believe that similar metalmen were built on other points in Ireland and Britain to warn sailors of shallow waters.

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    Mute Mick Kavanagh
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:15 AM

    As far as I remember they were erected by really old insurance companies with the metal point pointing at areas of danger for incoming ships.

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    Mute Mick Kavanagh
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:16 AM

    *man

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:53 AM

    He (in Tramore at least) points out to sea, as if telling on coming ships to turn around and return. Many ships used to mistake Tramore bay as the entrance to Waterford Harbour and run aground so the erected the metalman and his three pillars and two pillars on the brownestown head side to help ships identify that it was not the harbour.

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    Mute Mack
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:03 AM

    Is there one out in sligo bay between the city and sailing club. Never knew Irish lights were responsible for them.

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    Mute tomeenoldstock
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:16 AM

    Never knew Sligo was a city?

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    Mute Stephen Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 21st 2013, 9:12 AM

    Never heard of it before

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:05 AM

    Worth taking a trip down to have a look. The Tramore bay area and that Waterford coast from passage east across to Dungarvan and beyond is a beautiful little part of the country.

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    Mute Reginald Tower
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    Feb 21st 2013, 4:29 PM

    Metalman beer which is brewed in Waterford & named after the statue is also well worth a taste. It won the Irish craft beer of the year 2013. Top Notch. P.S. I don’t work for them :)

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    Mute Reginald Tower
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    Feb 21st 2013, 4:28 PM

    The Copper coastline from Tramore to Dungarvan is gorgeous. The whole area is an undiscovered gem. Stradbally must be one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland.

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    Mute Shane Horan
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    Feb 21st 2013, 12:12 PM

    FYI “Irish Lights” isn’t a private company. The Commissioners of Irish Lights is a statutory (i.e. government) body.

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    Mute John Power
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    Feb 21st 2013, 11:17 AM
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    Mute Shane Wixted
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    Feb 21st 2013, 10:54 AM

    Looks like a serious bush drinking spot

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    Mute L. Casei Immunitas
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:25 PM

    Three cigarettes with a subbuteo figure stuck on top. Knock em down and put in a McDonalds with a 24 hour drive-thru.

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    Mute Brian Ó Cinnéide
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    Feb 21st 2013, 1:30 PM

    I came here for the lolz. The lolz were had.

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    Mute Mike Synnott
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    Feb 25th 2013, 7:57 AM

    I gave you a thumbs-up for your display name. I actually snorted out loud on the bus.

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