The annual competition, hosted by Clare County Council, offers a prize fund in excess of EUR10,000.

Sponsorship is provided by ESB Moneypoint, Shannon Development and Roche Ireland with matching funding from Clare County Council.

‘Clare in Bloom’, which continues to attract huge entries every year, is a motivational mechanism for many locally based groups throughout the County to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

The award criteria for the competition will be on landscaping, range of planting, colour, waste prevention, minimisation and reuse, litter control and tidiness, maintaining bring banks where provided, energy initiatives and overall impression. Judging will take place from mid-July to mid-August.

The competition is based on 3 population categories. Category 1 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people and Category 3 features villages with a population less than 300.

Ballynacally Development Association scooped the overall award in 2007, while Kilrush Tidy Towns, Tuamgraney Development Association and Ballynacally Development Association won categories one, two and three respectively.

A Special Endeavour Award went to Bridgetown Tidy Towns while the Mayor’s Environmental Award, together with perpetual trophy for 2007, was awarded to Mountshannon Community Company.

“It is encouraging to see a year on year increase in the number of community groups participating in the Clare in Bloom competition”, stated Cllr Tommy Brennan, Chairperson of the Environment and Emergency Services & Consumer Protection Strategic Policy Committee.

Cllr. Brennan commented that the concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment had been developed and strengthened over the years by Clare County Council.

“One of the objectives of Clare County Council’s ‘Litter Management Plan 2006–2009’ is to continue to work in partnership and co-operation with local voluntary and community groups, business, schools, residents associations, Gardaí and the citizens of County Clare in order to obtain a litter free environment”, he added.

According to Ms. Betty Devanny, Clare in Bloom Co-ordinator, “The competition offers communities the opportunity to showcase the positive contribution that local groups make to the overall enhancement of their localities. This year’s competition will also see marks awarded towards waste prevention and minimisation, community involvement in maintaining bring bank sites and energy initiatives.”

Ms. Devanny explained that the ‘Best Public Seat Competition’ would once again complement this year’s ‘Clare in Bloom’ competition.

“If there is a public seat in a community where people can take time out and watch the world go by in pleasant surroundings, applicants can enter the ‘Best Public Seat Competition’”, she stated.

Communities and groups interested in participating in the ‘2008 Clare in Bloom’ competition can obtain application forms from Clare County Council’s Environment Section at 065-6846331 or www.clare.ie.

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“Enhancing reputations–Increasing exposure–Increasing understanding”

Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.