Ardee Leads as Louth Tidy Towns Win €100k Boost
By ArdeePost Reporter
Ardee Leads as Louth Tidy Towns Win €100k Boost
More than €100,000 in funding has been allocated to Tidy Towns groups and residents’ associations across County Louth, with seventeen community-led projects set to benefit under Louth County Council’s 2026 Tidy Towns Project Scheme.
The significant investment will support projects in Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk, enhancing biodiversity, improving amenities and strengthening community pride throughout the county.
Major Investment Across Louth
Under the 2026 scheme, just over €16,300 was approved for four projects in the Drogheda Borough District, while initiatives in the Dundalk Municipal District secured €63,182 across eight projects.
A further €24,003.84 was granted by elected members in the Ardee Municipal District to support five projects focused on improving the visual environment and enhancing local amenities.
The funding scheme is administered by Louth County Council’s Community Support Section and provides financial assistance for small-scale capital works, landscaping, and biodiversity initiatives undertaken by volunteer-led Tidy Towns committees and residents’ groups.
Ardee Municipal District Projects
Five projects in the Ardee Municipal District will share more than €24,000 in funding:
- Ardee Tidy Towns – Upgrade of Chantry Cottage Garden, including laurel removal and the installation of metal artwork. Grant: €4,050
- Dunleer Tidy Towns – Installation of a miniature monument windmill. Grant: €8,938.74
- Louth Village Tidy Towns – Development of flowerbeds and box hedging. Grant: €3,150
- Tallanstown (Project 1) – Flowerbeds and new entry signs on access roads. Grant: €3,166.20
- Tallanstown (Project 2) – Flowerbeds at Glyde View. Grant: €4,698.90
These projects aim to enhance the visual appeal of towns and villages while fostering community engagement and pride.
Drogheda Borough District Initiatives
In Drogheda, four projects received funding approval:
- Baltray Tidy Towns – Purchase of a rotavator, development of a fairy village and installation of willow art. Grant: €7,168.59
- Drogheda Tidy Towns (Project 1) – Installation of three benches in the 1916 Commemorative Garden. Grant: €3,487.05
- Drogheda Tidy Towns (Project 2) – Planting works across three areas of the town. Grant: €2,857.50
- Monasterboice Tidy Towns – Provision of water butts and composters. Grant: €2,826
These initiatives place a strong emphasis on sustainability, heritage appreciation and community spaces.
Dundalk Municipal District Receives Largest Share
The Dundalk Municipal District secured the largest allocation, with eight projects sharing €63,182:
- Blackrock Tidy Towns (Project 1) – Decorative panels along the Rock Celtic wall. Grant: €7,787.75
- Blackrock Tidy Towns (Project 2) – Improvements to the swimming pool walkway. Grant: €9,000
- Carlingford Tidy Towns – Installation of four to six age-friendly benches. Grant: €9,000
- Dromiskin Tidy Towns (Project 1) – Interactive bird-sound installation. Grant: €9,000
- Dromiskin Tidy Towns (Project 2) – Planting of 300 lime trees. Grant: €1,800
- Dundalk Tidy Towns – Two pollinator-friendly planters. Grant: €8,775
- Knockbridge Tidy Towns – Creation of a village mural at the community centre. Grant: €9,000
- Omeath Tidy Towns – Wall painting at Cloch Mór and biodiversity planting. Grant: €8,820
At the Dundalk Municipal meeting, councillors were informed that all applicants were successful, with funding supporting both smaller voluntary groups and established committees that apply annually. The meeting also heard that the council will work to encourage a broader range of community groups to apply in future years.
Supporting Communities and National Competition
A spokesperson for Louth County Council said the local authority “remains committed to supporting Tidy Towns groups and their initiatives through funding for small-scale capital improvement projects, helping them maximise their impact in both local and national competitions.”
The annual funding boost not only strengthens local amenities but also enhances Louth’s standing in the national Tidy Towns competition, while building stronger, greener and more connected communities across Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk.
As these projects get underway, residents can expect to see tangible improvements — from vibrant flower displays and biodiversity planting to upgraded walkways, murals and community installations — all driven by dedicated local volunteers.
