| Category | Maximum Score | 2017 Score | 2018 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community – Your Planning and Involvement | 60 | 47 | 47 |
| Streetscape & Public Places | 50 | 40 | 41 |
| Green Spaces and Landscaping | 50 | 47 | 47 |
| Sustainability – Doing more with less | 50 | 20 | 20 |
| Tidiness and Litter Control | 90 | 64 | 64 |
| Residential Streets & Housing Areas | 50 | 29 | 30 |
| Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes | 50 | 35 | 36 |
| Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality | 50 | 41 | 42 |
| Total Points | 450 | 323 | 327 |
Streetscape & Public Places / Sráid-Dreach & Áiteanna Poiblí:
You certainly did no exaggerate when you referred to dense through traffic and we witnessed it first hand. This is a problem beyond your control and you must rely on the Local Authority for effective traffic calming.
The streetscape is really impressive and well defined. We liked the mix of footpaths and grass kerbing. Footpaths are well developed and maintained.
We walked the village from both principal approaches and from both sides of the street. The standard of works carried out is really high class and attractively embellished with appropriate planting. Public lighting is well designed and developed together with good signage.
Stone walls throughout are of high quality and feature some excellent craftsmanship, maith sibh. We liked the freshly painted signposts throughout the village.
The assortment of farm machinerary displayed adds character and atmosphere to this area. The church is a gem and our visit to the inside was much enjoyed. The lovely design and surrounds are superbly presented. The Community Hall was a hive of activity on the day and is obviously a building well used.
We liked the clean up on the Garda Station.
Tidiness and Litter Control / Slachtmhaireacht agus Rialú Bruscair:
What a delight to find a village so clean, so bright, so tidy and yet active and thriving. We looked at your approach roads, streets, back lanes, rivers and bridges and could not fault your litter control, well done.
We liked your shop fronts and admired Teach Uí Shíordáin a lot. We also liked your window display and trophies and illustration of the village. Your list of activity in this category is impressive and illustrates the great support you get from all sections of the community.
The annual spring clean up is an excellent kick off for the Tidy Towns season and has proved immensely successful down through the years. The coloured block walls washed and painted are a bit novel, but we would not overdo it.
The recycling unit at the car park is extensive and appears to be well controlled. Of course emphasis should be on reduction where feasible. The Kebal sign standing on the old rusty trailer should be removed.
We like the blue and white gates which are now a branded feature, well for Milltown anyhow!
Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes / Bóithre Isteach, Sráideanna & Lánaí:
You have worked hard on your approach roads and your lengthy stretches are demanding on time and energy. Of course approach roads are important and set the scene for attractive introductions.
This extends to roadside verges and there boundary walls and you have done well in this respect. No doubt the continued tree planting project will further enhance your performance in this category.
Stone walls are an important part of the character of the village and we commend you on your work in this respect. Do complement your stone work with sustainable planting.
Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality / An Dúlra agus an Bhithéagsúlacht i do cheantar:
You have scored well in this category and the natural amenities that you have in abundance offer potential for improving your marks in this category.
We were impressed with the amount of activity you outlined in this category and your ability to cooperate with the various agencies, cultural organisations and schools is commendable. No doubt the local Angling Club plays a major part in the promotion of this category. We did see the bat boxes and hope they are in use. Birdwatch Ireland and Tree Council of Ireland are valuable additions to your endeavours.
We did not notice the wildflowers at the school but perhaps they will appear next year. We read you are pursuing a sixth green flag and commend you for this. It is always an adjudicators delight to witness the Brat Glas, so well done to all concerned. We are a little puzzled at the absence of a school garden and wonder if you could include this as a project for next year.
The existing small area on the Tuam side of the school has overgrown. At your level of marks it is expected that the local school would have a school garden. Well done for you participation in the Galway Co.Council Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2017-2022
Sustainability – Doing more with less / Inmharthanacht – Mórán ar an mbeagán:
We commend you on your work in this category and urge you to study the handbook continuously. You will notice emphasis is now on prevention rather than recycling.
Harvesting rainwater is commendable and energy saving is now an important aspect of this category. It is not always obvious to see your committees work on the day in this category so we would urge you to let us know in your submission your activity surrounding the work being done here.
Residential Streets & Housing Areas / Sráideanna Cónaithe & Ceantair Tithíochta:
Millbrook Estate is excellent and illustrates great community and individual effort. Residential Housing areas in general are presented to a high standard and some have gone the extra mile in presenting their premises to a high standard.
New houses now have opportunity to join with you in presenting the village to a high standard. They also provide opportunity for new members and enthusiasm.
Green Spaces and Landscaping / Spásanna Glasa agus Tírdhreachú:
This is surely your strong point and the plethora of tree planting and grass control throughout the park was much enjoyed. Tree management here is superb and we found no weak links.
The popular lime trees, silver birch, white beam and rowan trees etc are a real strong point and we commend you on the informative signage, together with the information plaques that are abundant. We assume the work done on removing the trees at the Clare River walk was necessary.
We walked this area which is one of the best in the region. The river here is without blemish and provides a superb amenity for locals and visitors.
The playground was busy with children and offers a great amenity to the children of the area. From the photos enclosed we can assume you have a great display of daffodils, this provides a good start to your Tidy Towns season.
The Slí na Sláinte leaflet is very informative and outlines the many environmental features of the area including the extensive woodland area
Concluding Remarks:
Well done on a great performance at this level of the competition. Go n-éirí libh amach anseo agus bain taitneamh as Ceiliúradh 60 bliain.
