Kilcullen Tidy Towns 2023 - the Report

Library Community Garden: 'excellent development'.

The Kilcullen Tidy Towns effort for 2023 did very well in a number of adjudication areas, and still has a way to go in others, writes Brian Byrne.

An overall marking score of 65pc from the total available might on first glance seem a bit low, but when seen against the national winner Abbeyleix's 68pc it actually indicates a conservative marking regime for the whole competition with gaps between contesting communities actually quite short.

The Kilcullen results in the Adjudication Report show very strong performances in four of the seven areas of judging, topped by work in Nature and Biodiversity gaining three extra points over 2022 and scoring 82pc of the possible marks. The sectors of Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes enjoyed a 73pc score, while Community Planning & Involvement achieved 71pc and Green Spaces & Landscaping 69pc.

From this analysis, the areas below par are Sustainability (44pc), Streetscapes & Public Places (55pc) and Tidiness & Litter Control (61pc). Residential Streets & Housing Areas scored the 65pc average. The overall result represents a steadily continuing improvement through the dedicated work of the volunteers and CE operatives in Kilcullen Community Action-Tidy Towns.

The Adjudication Report references the 25 years in which Kilcullen has been a participant in Tidy Towns, which has allowed the group to establish 'a strong network of supporters and partnerships', and it notes particularly an ‘excellent’ engagement with schools.

Commenting on the acquisition in recent years of a community polytunnel, the adjudicators said it will be a ‘wonderful asset’ on progress towards sustainable planting, and ultimately a sustainable community.

The streetscape and overall built environment came in for some positive comment, a number of buildings particularly attracting attention — including pubs, shops and the Library and church. Noting the successful publication of the Kilcullen Design Statement, the report particularly references the ‘wonderful’ level of public consultation involved. The new town approach signage also garners congratulation, including the one for tourist information.

In the area of Green Spaces & Landscaping, the Community Garden at the Library is lauded as ‘an excellent development’ and the report especially commends the free access to its fruit and vegetables and the amenity’s wildlife habitat creation. Container planting along the main street attracts a ‘beautiful’ comment, while planting in the grounds of CPC and along Pinkeen Stream also gets strong praise. The maintenance of the Valley Park and Fairy Trail also adds to Kilcullen’s performance in this area.

The adjudicators were impressed with the Kilcullen work on helping nature and biodiversity, giving particular mention to the information panels that help to raise awareness in this area. Native tree planting and wildflower meadows are noted favourably in the report, as are the ongoing efforts on the elimination of invasive species.

In the area of sustainability, initiatives such as the recycling of old compost, installing a solar-powered pump for irrigation in the polytunnel, and talks hosted for householders on home energy saving are all noted with approval. An energy audit on the sheltered housing for older people is also in train.

The adjudicators were impressed with litter control which seems to work ‘surprisingly well’ for Kilcullen despite the absence of litter collection or path sweeping by the council. The cleanliness of the river banks and the absence of graffiti during the adjudicating visit are noted.

The report congratulates the attractive entrances to residential estates which ‘seem to be the norm’ in Kilcullen. There is equally positive commentary on the management of green areas and spaces for biodiversity in estates, along with tree-planting.

Remarking that the new bridge over Pinkeen Stream is a 'great facility' accommodating both pedestrians and cyclists, the adjudicators also comment on the new footpath on the Sunnyhill Road as facilitating 'safe passage'. The landscaped surrounds of the town signs on the approach road also attract positive mention, with the report suggesting that similar street nameplates should be the next step.

Negatives noted in the report include the need for painting the boundary wall of the library, cigarette ends and some gum staining on the footpaths, and the ‘visual clutter’ of overhead service cables. Proper surfacing of the church and mart car parks is also advised. But the overall conclusion is that 'Kilcullen is a successful combination of old and new in its built environment and presents and celebrates its natural environment for the benefit of the local and wider community and the conservation and protection of the natural environment'.

The full marking by sector was:

Community – Your Planning and Involvement 57/80(+2)

Streetscape & Public Places 44/80(+2)

Green Spaces and Landscaping 55/80(+2)

Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality 45/55(+3)

Sustainability – Doing more with less 24/55(+3)

Tidiness and Litter Control 55/90(+2)

Residential Streets & Housing Areas 36/55(+2)

Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes 40/55(+2)

TOTAL 356/550

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