Ballincollig Flies the Flag for Ireland in International Communities in Bloom Competition

Ballincollig has stepped onto the world stage, with international judges spending almost two days in the 2024 National Tidy Towns winner last week as part of the prestigious Communities in Bloom (CiB) competition.

Cork City Council and Ballincollig Tidy Towns joined forces to host the visit, with the town competing in the 32nd edition of CiB's International Challenge in the Medium category alongside Nagykőrös in Pest, Hungary.

Judges Dr Andrea Bocsi from Fejér, Hungary, and Anthony O'Neill from North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada, toured a wide range of sites and projects last Thursday and Friday. Their itinerary took in Main Street, Barrack Square, the Regional Park, the town's allotments, a local housing estate, a Green Schools-participating primary school, the Westgate Foundation, the town's biodiversity hub, its GAA club, and the Rosenalee Care Centre. The visit concluded with a formal dinner at the Talbot Hotel, attended by the Lord Mayor, City Council representatives, Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers, and other key community stakeholders.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, praised the partnership approach that underpins Ballincollig's success.

"The partnership between the local authority and the community is a real strength and a key reason why Ballincollig is such a great place to live.

There is a strong spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, with both sides working together for the betterment of the town.

The commitment of volunteers, combined with the support and engagement of the city council, creates a shared sense of ownership and pride in the town.

That joined-up approach does the obvious – it enhances the physical environment - but it also strengthens people-to-people connections and overall community wellbeing, which is so important today."

Tom Butler, Chairperson of Ballincollig Tidy Towns, said the judges saw both the transformation of the town and the community effort driving it.

"The judges saw the transformation of Ballincollig from what it was to what it is now as a thriving community.

They saw the level of volunteerism, as well as the cooperation between ourselves and Cork City Council.

That was evident on Main Street, where the judges met City Council staff and our volunteers working hand-in-hand.

The street itself shows how the old and new have been seamlessly brought together, while still retaining the village feel, which is very important to us.

The park is another standout feature we have right on our doorstep, and the judges saw first-hand the work that goes into maintaining it.

The level of volunteer effort was clear for them to see throughout the visit. The cooperation between the City Council's Parks Department, other City Council staff on the ground, the Tidy Towns volunteers, the business community, and the wider population is what makes this work.

This is not just one group – this is Ballincollig as a whole. Everyone plays a vital role, and we are all working together towards the same goal."

The judges were generous in their praise. Anthony O'Neill said the community's positivity was what stood out most.

"The standout for me has been the positivity of the community. It's truly exemplary – the energy is infectious.

In a world where many communities are facing division, what's been created here is very special. There is a strong sense of inclusion and belonging.

Ultimately, this isn't just about appearance – it's about people's wellbeing. When you see people smiling, greeting each other, and taking pride in where they live, it shows they are happy and connected. That's the real success.

What you've built here makes Ballincollig a very attractive place to live. Families looking for a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community will find that here. This kind of work strengthens the town's future and ensures it continues to thrive."

Dr Andrea Bocsi said she was struck by the extraordinary scope of what Ballincollig's volunteers have taken on.

"I've been really amazed by the work of Ballincollig Tidy Towns. What they do is extraordinary. What's particularly impressive is the range of services they provide – things that, in many other towns or countries, would fall to the municipality. To see this driven by volunteers is truly wonderful. It's inspiring.

It's clear there is a very positive and effective collaboration here between Tidy Towns volunteers and the local authority. Responsibilities are shared well, and there is real mutual respect.

The volunteers take on a huge amount of work, but they do so with genuine pride and enjoyment, and that really comes through.

Being part of this process gives the town a valuable opportunity to step back and reflect on everything its [sic] accomplished - it allows one to celebrate progress and then look ahead to the next steps with renewed focus.

One important thing to remember is that the investment made in preparing for visits like this largely stays within the community. It builds year on year, improving the town for those who live here every day.

Competitions like this are part of a longer journey – they help you grow, develop and strengthen what's already here."

Communities are assessed across six key criteria: community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and plant and floral displays. They are awarded a rating from one to five Blooms, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold distinctions achievable within the five-Bloom category.

The national and international results will be announced at the Communities in Bloom National Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Montreal and Rosemère, Quebec, Canada, in October.

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit, volunteer and partnership-driven organisation that promotes community strength, involvement, and continuous improvement, recognising excellence in environmental sustainability, green spaces, and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage.