Judging in the international Communities in Bloom competition will get under way in the Co Laois village of Abbeyleix.
Having been named Ireland's Tidiest Town in 2023, Abbeyleix was chosen by the Department of Community, Rural Development and the Gaeltacht to represent Ireland internationally in the 2025 Communities in Bloom.
The competition was established in Canada with the guidance of Britain in Bloom, Ireland’s Tidy Towns and Villes et Villages Fleuris de France.
It now includes hundreds of communities across Canada and an international challenge involving communities from the United States, Asia and several European countries, including Ireland.
The vision of the competition is to inspire all communities to enhance quality of life and the environment through people and plants, to create community pride.
This year’s competition theme is 'Edible Gardens', suiting Abbeyleix’s many 'Garden to Fork' efforts, including the Apiary, Community Garden, orchard development and efforts to mitigate, and adapt to, the effects of changing climate.
"Abbeyleix is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community works together," said Councillor Pádraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council.
Over the last number of months Abbeyleix Tidy Towns with the support of local people, businesses, agencies, and Laois County Council, have been working towards the competition.
"Abbeyleix’s success to date is a testament to what can be achieved when a local authority works in partnership with a strong community and where ambition, collaboration and excellence are at the heart of local development" said Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council.
The judges will be evaluating Abbeyleix over three days, starting today and the national and international results will be announced in October.
