Judges Hail Teamwork and Positivity as Ballincollig Represents Ireland in International Communities in Bloom Event

29/06/2026

Cork City Council and Ballincollig Tidy Towns joined forces to help the town represent Ireland in the prestigious international Communities in Bloom (CiB) competition.

CiB judges, Dr Andrea Bocsi from Fejér, Hungary, and Anthony O’Neill from North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada, spent almost two days visiting a range of sites and projects in the 2024 National Tidy Towns winner showcasing its progress from a small rural village in the 1960s to a thriving urban centre, while still retaining its village feel and character.

Preparation for their visit involved close collaboration between Cork City Council and Ballincollig Tidy Towns.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, praised the partnership approach.

“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,” the Lord Mayor said.

“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.”

Across last Thursday and Friday, representatives from Cork City Council and Ballincollig Tidy Towns showed the judges how that partnership approach, combined with a very strong sense of civic pride, has underpinned the town’s growth and development.

The judges’ itinerary included stops on Main Street, Barrack Square, the town’s beautiful Regional Park, its allotments, lunch in The White Horse, a local housing estate to meet a residents’ groups, a local primary school engaging in the Green Schools programme, the Westgate Foundation, the town’s biodiversity hub, its GAA club, and the Rosenalee Care Centre.

Particular attention was drawn to Main Street, where the seamless integration of old and new development has preserved the village character while supporting growth, and to the Regional Park where members of the City Council’s parks and recreation department pointed out the commitment to biodiversity and sustainability, and to community-led and inclusive initiatives.

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.

Tom Butler, Chairperson of Ballincollig Tidy Towns, said the visit provided an opportunity to present the best of the town and the people behind its achievements.

“The judges saw the transformation of Ballincollig from what it was to what it is now as a thriving community,” Mr Butler said.

“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 CiB judges said they were impressed.

Mr O’Neill said: “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.”

Ms Bocsi said: “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 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.”

Ballincollig is representing Ireland in the 32nd edition of the CiB and is being assessed in the International Challenge – Medium category alongside Nagykőrös in Pest, Hungary.

The judges are assessing municipal, residential, commercial, and institutional spaces, across six key criteria including:

• Community appearance
• Environmental action
• Heritage conservation
• Tree management
• Landscape
• Plant and floral displays.

Communities are then 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, taking place 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. Its evaluation process recognises excellence in environmental sustainability, enhancement of green spaces, and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage across municipal, residential, commercial, and institutional settings.