L-R John O’Meara, Cahir Foreman, Anselm McGowan, District Administrator, Tipperary County Council & Cllr. Andy Moloney, Cahir Tidy Towns
The Inch field in Cahir is the only public area in county Tipperary to secure a Green Flag for Parks in 2023/24 – 101 such awards were made in Ireland yesterday by An Taisce who administer the Green Flag Award for Parks. Councillor Andy Moloney who is deeply involved in Cahir Tidy Towns says the award recognises a huge amount of work in this area in recent years. The Green Flag Award scheme aims to encourage the provision of good quality public parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.
A range of local organisations have focused on development underpinned by sustainability and inclusivity. The stakeholders included An Choill Bheag, ABP Cahir, The Men’s Shed, HSK, Tipperary County Council, Orchards of Ireland, LEADER, TUS, ORIS funding (Outdoor Rural Infrastructure Scheme) and Healthy Tipperary. Cllr Moloney also paid tribute to the people of the district who support the Cahir Tidy Towns can collection every month which raises funds for these projects. Cllr Moloney also thanked ABP Cahir for it’s ongoing support in developing amenities in Cahir.
An Taisce Environmental Education administers the awards for the best public parks and gardens – the awards are marked on eight criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement. This year the inspection was an Interim Quality Evaluation (mystery shopper) carried out in August. The judges noted that it was evident that nature and biodiversity is being actively promoted.
The visiting judges for the Green Flag Award were impressed with Cahir Inch Field and paid tribute to the commitment shown by the Tidy Town volunteers, local community, business groups and Tipperary County Council:
“This is a well maintained and well used public park with ample car parking. It is very evident that nature and biodiversity are being actively promoted and managed in conjunction with the local Tidy Towns and schools. Cahir Inch is a pleasant recreational area which links the castle and other local attractions. The duck feeding station is a lovely addition to the park. Cahir Inch Field is well deserving of its Green Flag.”
Councillor Andy Moloney on behalf of Cahir Tidy Towns also paid tribute to those involved in achieving the Green Flag Award:
“It is a fabulous green enjoyed by many over the summer and also served as a successful location for Heritage Day activities. The addition of the Pétanque club and the proposed accessibility path will be a welcome addition to future visitors to this popular park. Cllr Moloney thanked everyone that supports the park and also acknowledged the support from South Tipperary Development Company for the new Fionn McCumhail project”.
