Winners of the all-island Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition announced at an Awards Ceremony in Riddel Hall, Belfast Antrim named Ireland’s Best Kept Town, 2026 as well as winning Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre Carraig Airt were named winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Village, Groomsport were named winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Small Town and Trim were named winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Town categories respectively
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD, congratulated the winners of the all-island, Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition. Minister Calleary announced the results at an awards ceremony in Riddel Hall, Belfast.
Ireland’s Best Kept Town is an all-island competition in which some of the best villages and towns participating in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition. Antrim was named overall winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town in 2026.
In other award categories Carraig Airt won the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Village and Groomsport was named Ireland’s Best Kept Small Town. Trim was also named Ireland’s Best Kept Large Town, and Antrim won the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Minister Calleary said: “I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners and nominees in the all-island Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition. Well done to Carraig Airt , the winners of Ireland’s Best Kept Village, and Trim for winning the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Town.
“I would also like to congratulate Antrim, Irelands Best Kept Town for 2026 as well as being named Irelands Best Kept Large Urban Centre. Groomsport also deserves a special mention as the 2026 winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Small Town.”
Minister Calleary continued: “The all-island Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition recognises the immense community spirit and pride people have in their own communities right across this island.
“All the groups nominated for these awards should be enormously proud of their achievements to date. Now in its 31st year, it is a fine example of a positive cross-border initiative that brings great benefits to so many of our communities.
“I applaud the efforts made by all of the volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland and wish all our community groups the very best in future competitions.”
Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the organizing body of Northern Ireland’s Best Kept Awards, noted that:
“The competition is designed to reward those who take great pride in their communities and those who work tirelessly to make their surroundings a nice place to work, live and play in.
“My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients. The panel of esteemed judges from all over Ireland had a very difficult task in comparing and selecting the eventual winners, which is a testament to the stunning towns and villages that we are lucky enough to have here on the island of Ireland.”
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