Keep Piltown Tidy and Owning Tidy Towns 2025

The 2025 Supervalu tidy towns results were available on October 24th, 2025. The two villages entered the competition in 2025. On June 13th, the judges visited both villages and  conducted their inspections. Both villages increased their marks from the previous year which was very welcome.

Briefly, in relation to Piltown.
The judges praised the committee structure in place in Piltown along with additional workers who came out each week to help. Having a strong relationship with Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Leadership partnership was commended. The huge contribution being made by CE workers was acknowledged. A communications officer, Facebook presence and a  WhatsApp group were all active and admired. Piltown primary schools partnership with Keep Piltown tidy has been going for 26 years and as strong as ever. The judges admired the Ink Bottle Bug Hotel, and they thought it was an excellent idea and landmark at the entrance to the village from Waterford. It used recycled materials that might otherwise have been discarded. Dereliction of buildings similar to most towns and villages across Ireland was evident in Piltown to a smaller extent. The group are working on this problem continuously.  Murals were mentioned as being effective and praised was given on the mural at the entrance to the school, completed by the local Foroige club. The repurposing of the old barracks, the GAA Complex, the Community centre, and the tree planting at Foyles garage were just a small few impressive areas the judges visited on their walk about. Wildlife habitats, preservation, and promotion are all in place in Piltown. Kildalton College is rightly acknowledged in the submission, a leader in horticultural education since 1971. The Keep Piltown Tidy committee are doing excellent work overall since re-entering the competition in 2023.

Briefly, in relation to Owning
The Marion Hall, built in 1988 was tastefully decorated as is the front of the Primary school, both very well maintained along with tables, seating, and the lovely bug hotel. The judges credited the people responsible for the church and school upkeep. Anthony’s Bar and Owning House Retirement Village deserved special mention by the judges along with footpaths deserved additional marks. Owning House Retirement village was noted for its well-maintained, exceptional grounds and some fine planting arrangements to enhance the complex. Pollinator friendly plants in beautiful flower beds supports the bee population are evident in lots of places around the village. The village was litter free, and people involved in litter collection are to be commended. “Pride of place” is evident in peoples tidy homesteads. The adjudicators visit to Owning was a very pleasant one. The village has excellent potential and should excel in the coming years. The Committee should develop a 3-year plan and involve the local authority and other public bodies.