Fermoy is now officially deemed 'A Cleaner Town' thanks to a unique campaign sponsored by a local business which has been hailed as an unqualified success.

On Monday evening those who made that happen were feted at a ceremony in The Grand Hotel where 21 different awards were presented.

The idea was the brainchild of local councillor John Murphy, who's chairman of the anti-litter committee of the local Tidy Towns group. It was made possible by McCarthy Insurance Group who rowed in behind the campaign with their full support and the necessary financial backing.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Christy Roche of Fermoy Tidy Towns said it was an example of what can be done through collective effort. Mayor Olive Corcoran thanked the sponsors and commended all groups involved.

"Nobody should have to pick up somebody else's rubbish. Those that do so on a daily basis are to be commended. I do think giving an incentive is very important, along with enforcement," she said.

Tidy Towns Chairman Noel McCarthy noted that they'd gathered in the hotel some six weeks before and in the intervening time there had been "a wonderful effort." He said the initiative was a very good one and John Murphy was to be complimented for it as were the sponsors for backing it. "You always look after Fermoy first. You've come up trumps again," he told Charlie McCarthy.

John Murphy too said he'd seen a great improvement in the town in the six weeks that the competition had run. He thanked the judges and also young people from Youthreach who'd distributed leaflets around the town giving details of the competition. He deemed the outcome of the initiative "a new beginning" for Fermoy.

Paul Kavanagh, Group Managing Director of McCarthy Insurance, said they hoped peoples' efforts would now be rewarded in the national Tidy Towns and IBAL competitions as that had been the aim.

"It was a fantastic call to arms. We increased the awards from 11 to 21. We could have had 50 such was the effort," he said. "We need to build on that now for next year," he told those gathered. "Fermoy is coming up the ladder. It would be great if the Tidy Towns recognised that."

A video produced by Ken Barry was then played. Using photographs taken by George O'Keefe of Fermoy Camera Club and some of his own, it showed the improvement that had taken place in various housing estates, commercial buildings, sporting club premises and other parts of the town during the campaign.

It was on to the presentation of awards then. The first one, for best large shopfront went to The Gift Gallery on Patrick Street, known as Bermingham's. Best shop front went to Mellerick's Pharmacy, also on Patrick Street. Dave Ryan's Amber service station won for best commercial business while the award for best forecourt went to SuperValu. Fermoy soccer club took the award for best community premises and St Joseph's national school was the winner of the best educational premises.

The highly commended section of the awards was next. The first winner announced there was Fermoy Town Park under the community section. In the shopfront category the winner was Enzo's restaurant while in the commercial premises section Abbeyville House was announced winner. Hickey's drapery was highly commended in the large shopfronts section while Aldi was named in the best forecourt/car parking in a commercial premises category. Blackwater Search and Rescue took the award for its clubhouse in the best community premises section.

It was on then to residential areas of the town which had been divided into four different sections. Taking the prize for the best residential area in the north west was Carrignagroghera, in the north east it was Wolfe Tone Park, the south west winner was St Patrick's Avenue/Anderson Place and in the south east it was Devlin Street. Highly commended in the overall residential category was St Joseph's Square. Most improved commercial premises was Fermoy Boxing Club and most improved area was Thomas Street lower.

The two top awards - for best overall commercial premises and best overall residential area went to Walsh's Pharmacy, Patrick Street and to Glencullen.

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