Riverstown in Co Sligo and Blackrock in Co Louth have been awarded gold medals in the Entente Florale – a European environmental competition.
The two villages competed alongside entries from Hungary, France, Italy, Germany, and Czechia, in the prestigious competition.
The Entente Florale Europe, established in 1975, aims to promote a greener and more pleasant environment in European towns and villages.
Often compared to the TidyTowns competition, Entente Florale places strong emphasis on partnership between local authorities and communities in delivering improvements.
Riverstown and Blackrock took part in the competition following nominations from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The old swimming pool walkway in Blackrock in Co Louth
Entente Florale Europe entries are evaluated across 10 key criteria by an international jury panel, consisting of members from each participating country.
More than 160 delegates attended this evening’s awards ceremony in the Visual Centre of Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow town.
Carlow was selected to host the awards ceremony, following its performance in the 2024 Entente Florale Europe competition.
Minister of State at the Department of Health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, who attended, said the standard was exceptionally high across the participating countries.
Minister O’Connor who presented the Green Spaces Special award to Kecskemét, recognised the support of Sligo and Louth County Councils to both Irish entries.
“Ireland’s community effort and involvement, particularly our TidyTowns volunteer movement, is very highly regarded amongst our European counterparts,” she said.