Ballincollig to Represent Ireland at Communities in Bloom International Challenge

Ballincollig is set to bloom on the world stage later this month as the Cork community prepares to represent Ireland in the prestigious Communities in Bloom (CiB) International Challenge.

Ballincollig Tidy Towns was formally recommended for the global competition by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Tidy Towns Section) following the group's success in winning the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Award in 2024. Cork City Council endorsed the proposal and is now working with Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers to prepare for the arrival of CiB judges in the town towards the end of June.

The CiB International Challenge brings together award-winning towns and cities from across the globe, including participants from Britain in Bloom, America in Bloom, Japan in Bloom, Comuni Fioriti (Italy), and several European nations. The programme provides communities with a platform to showcase their achievements, exchange ideas, and share best practice in environmental sustainability and community development.

Judges will attend an informal welcome dinner on 25 June, before a full day of judging and site visits across the town on Friday, 26 June, from 8am to 4pm.

The judging itinerary will take in a diverse cross-section of Ballincollig, including Main Street, Barrack Square, the town's Regional Park, a local housing estate, and community facilities. Judges will also visit the Ballincollig Tidy Towns allotment and the City Council allotments, a local primary school engaged in the Green Schools programme, Westgate Foundation (the support service provider for older people), the town's biodiversity hub, its GAA club, and Rosenalee Care Centre. Lunch at The White Horse will showcase local food producers.

The visit will conclude with a formal dinner attended by the Lord Mayor, Cork City Council representatives, Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers, and other key community stakeholders.

Judges will assess the town across six key criteria: community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and plant and floral displays. Marks awarded in each area contribute to an overall international "bloom rating".

Close collaboration between Cork City Council staff and Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers has underpinned the preparations, with fortnightly meetings taking place over recent months and weekly meetings now in place as the judging date approaches.

A Cork City Council spokesperson said:

"We are delighted to support Ballincollig Tidy Towns in representing Ireland at the Communities in Bloom International Challenge.

This is a testament to the dedication, pride, and collaboration within the local community.

It is a fantastic opportunity to share Ballincollig's achievements internationally while learning from other leading communities worldwide."

Tom Butler, Chairperson of Ballincollig Tidy Towns, said they are delighted to be involved in the competition:

"We feel very privileged to represent our community, our city and our country in this international competition.

It's not often that a community group gets to represent their country on an international stage, and for us, this is a great honour.

It will be nice to bring the judges in to what is a very special community, and hopefully, the people of Ballincollig will be out in force to welcome them.

A huge amount of work and effort has gone into this, and all that work, which is being done in conjunction with Cork City Council, will culminate at the end of June.

Our volunteer hours have increased dramatically but this is ultimately, a community event, and so we'd like to thank the businesses, and all the different organisations for getting involved, and the local authority for its support.

This is the result of everyone pulling together, and Ballincollig, as a whole, will be all the better for it."

Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers continue their hands-on work in the community, meeting regularly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, while the City Council's Regional Park team plays a central role in preparing one of the town's most important showcase assets ahead of the visit.