In August 2025, more than fifty years after making constitutional history, Skerries woman May McGee and her late husband Seamus were celebrated and honoured in their own community.
Photo credit: Irish Times on Facebook
Skerries Tidy Towns commissioned the installation in Floraville of a Mosaic to celebrate the groundbreaking Supreme Court victory in December 1973, of Skerries woman Mary (May) McGee, which effectively legalised the sale and importation of contraceptives. The mosaic is by renowned Irish international artist Helen McLean. Skerries Tidy Towns thanked the Department of Rural and Community Development, Skerries Community Association and the Chamber of Commerce for their financial support. Many joined the organisers, May herself and her family and friends at Floraville on Saturday, August 30 for the official unveiling of the Mosaic and to finally celebrate this local heroine.
May and her husband, Shay, leaving court in 1972
We salute you, May, and thank you for your courage in challenging authority and helping to create a kinder Ireland!
Many thanks to Skerries Tidy Towns for commissioning the beautiful plaque and for organising this wonderful occasion.
Skerries Tidy Towns Committee are delighted to announce another successful year at the Tidy Towns Awards. In this years competition, Skerries was 14 marks up on last year, finished only 5 marks off the overall winner, won a Gold Medal for the 24th year in a row AND came 2nd in Dublin County.
Local Award Winners
In recognition of the massive community effort involved in the success of Skerries Tidy Towns, the committee hosted a local awards ceremony for some very worthy locals who went above and beyond to support the efforts of our Committee.
Best Presented Non Estate House
Sponsored by Progressive Credit Union.
Winner: 16 Holmpatrick Cliona Marnell 16 Holmpatrick is charming pink house that catches the eye and encourages you to stop for a better look. The owners make great use of planters along the front of the house and a raised planter at the front wall. At the time of judging the garden was a riot of colour, there was an abundance of pollinator plants including single dahlias, gladioli and agapanthus.
Best Presented House In An Estate
Sponsored by Tidy Towns. Winner: 43A St Patricks Close: Vinnie Cauldwell. This garden and house was nominated for best presented in an estate because of its year round attractive nature. It has a small colourful well maintained garden with lots of pollinator friendly planting. It was particularly pretty throughout the summer. It shows what can be done in a limited space and there’s still room left to sit and enjoy it. Well done!
Best Visual/Window Display
Sponsored by Progressive Credit Union Winner: Mua: Rebecca Todd A bright, well maintained business which adds colour to the street. The table and chairs outside invite passers-by to ‘lig do scith’ and have a restful moment. Inside is where the magic happens.
Best Presented Laneway
Sponsored by Tidy Towns Winner: Chapel Lane: Ethel Brannigan We have all come to know this lovely laneway this year because of the work being undertaken on the library and it being used as an access from Church St to Strand St. Even with all the additional traffic the laneway has been kept clean and adorned with flowers to brighten everyone’s passage through. Well done to the residents for their beautifully kept houses and floral displays and for maintaining the laneway to such a high standard.
Accessibility Award
Sponsored by Tidy Towns Winner : La Scarpetta: Simona La Scarpetta has easy access seating areas both indoors and outdoors. They have clean spacious accessible toilets. The staff are very helpful.
Best Presented Estate
Sponsored by Skerries Community Association and Tidy Towns
Winner: Mourne View : Colm Treacy It is with great pleasure that we give the award for Best Presented Estate this year to Mourne Estate on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The newly revitalised Residents’ Association under chairperson Colm Treacy has been going from strength to strength, working tirelessly to enhance the lives of the community by organising events such as the family fun day in July, setting up a WhatsApp group to facilitate communication and sharing and by improving the overall look of the estate. The entrance to Mourne View is looking wonderful with its decorative stone wall and beautifully planted beds; thanks to a grant from Fingal County Council. This is an estate that has certainly embraced sustainability. Every shrub, tree and flower that has been planted by enthusiastic volunteers, in common areas, was propagated from seeds of plants harvested in the estate. The residents have been given the surplus plants to grow in their gardens. Renewable paint from the Ballymun Rediscovery Centre has been used to paint common walls in the estate. The Residents’ Association has many more plans for the future. We wish them continued success in their endeavours and congratulate Mourne Estate on being very worthy winners of our award this year.
Best Presented Business Premises
Sponsored by Tidy Towns Winner: Aquila: Jane Bracken Aquila is well kept and clean with small plant containers at either side of the entrance door, which add a touch of colour to the overall appearance of the premises. Additionally the double window display changes regularly, which contributes to the impressive impact the business has on the streetscape of Strand Street
A big thank you to all those who attending the Skerries Community Association 2024 AGM. It was a great opportunity to hear all the great activities being organised by each committee and to take the opportunity to recognise our Jim Quigley award winners.
