Great turnout in the Harps for the Skerries TidyTowns Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Night

Posted on January 8, 2026 by admin

Churchfield residents Susan Mulcahy, Cait O’Donoghue, Andrew O’Byrne, Siobhan Carr and Donal Darcy with Breda Shankey, dep Chair SCA, and Mayor Tom O’Leary.

There was a great turnout in the Harps on Thursday 20th Nov for the annual Tidy
Towns Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Night.

Chair Maeve McGann opened the event by welcoming all, including Mayor Tom
O’Leary, and TD Grace Boland, and remembered May McGee, who sadly passed away
on October 28, 2025.

The mosaic in Floraville, commissioned by Skerries Tidy Towns, with the support of the
Community Association and the Chamber of Commerce, will remain as a fitting tribute
to this brave woman.

Maeve reminded us of Skerries’ strong position in this year’s national competition,
coming second in Dublin, only five points from the overall winners Carrick on Shannon, and winning our 25th consecutive Gold Medal.

She pointed out that Skerries’ strength lies in the great work not only being done by Tidy Towns but by groups such as Sustainable Skerries, the Cycling Initiative, the
Community Garden, and the people who Adopt a Patch in their neighbourhoods or on
the beaches.

She encouraged people to sign up either to Adopt a Patch or to join us on the weekly
work parties, and to sign up for the Pollinator Plant giveaway next year, the purpose of which is to encourage pollinators throughout Skerries.

Gerard and Siobhan Boylan of Skerries Frameworks with Mayor Tom O’Leary and artist Kristina Keegan

Light refreshments were provided, and the winners of this year’s local awards were
announced.

The winner of Best Presented House in an Estate was Theresa McManus of Kelly’s Bay Weir. The adjudicators commented on the abundance of colourful pollinator friendly
planting, including at the kerb area, and the maximising of a relatively small space with
brightly coloured planters.

Theresa McManus, Kelly’s Bay Weir, with Marian Forde (STT) and Mayor Tom O’Leary

The Best Presented Non-Estate House was ‘Glenbeigh’, on the South Strand. This
award was sponsored by the Progressive Credit Union. When seen in early August the
garden was a riot of colour, including the bees’ favourite, a thriving fuchsia bush. Well
done to Therese and Brian Sherwin.

Wildcat Lane in Mourne View was judged the Best Presented Laneway. This lane had
been quite run down but has been resurfaced and the walls painted and containers with
creepers and flowers have been planted. This was thanks to the hard work of the
Mourne Estate Residents Association, who have made the lane a pleasant place for all
to use, going to and from Scoil Realt na Mara or to the beach.

Sarah Jane Donnelly’s salon ‘Hair’ in Strand St was judged the Most Accessible
Business. There is plenty of room inside to turn a wheelchair or mobility scooter, access
to the wash basins is easy and the staff are very considerate.

Sarah Jane Donnelly of “Hair” salon, Strand St with Marian Forde (STT) and Mayor Tom O’Leary

Best Visual Display went to AnnMarie Dowling Smith of Whizz Kids in Strand Street.
This award was also sponsored by the Progressive Credit Union. The adjudicators
commented on how there is always something eye-catching in the window displays
which change according to the season, cultural or sporting events.

Churchfield was awarded a trophy, sponsored by Skerries Community Association, for
Best Presented Estate. Their 10 person Residents’ Association works tirelessly on
improvements to their green areas, their approach road and lane, as well as organising
social events for children and for the more mature residents. They have also organised
the installation of a Defibrillator and a course is to take place shortly to give residents
the skills to administer CPR and to use the Defibrillator. Their very informative
Facebook page also got a mention. Well done to all in Churchfield!

This year’s winner of the Best Presented Premises was Skerries Frameworks in Church St, owned by Gerard and Siobhan Boylan. The prize, an original painting of the premises, was presented by the artist Kristina Keegan, and sponsored by Tidy Towns. This bright, colourful and exceptionally well-kept business was a well-deserved winner for its positive contribution to the streetscape of Church Street.

Marian Forde of STT, AnnMarie Dowling of Whizzkids and Mayor Tom O’Leary

So now thoughts turn to preparing for our entry into the 2026 National Tidy Towns
Competition! The Committee will always welcome new joiners and are also open to
suggestions and new ideas from the community in Skerries.

We can be contacted by email: tidytownsskerries@gmail.com

As ever, the ongoing financial support by so many local people is much appreciated. If
you would like to contribute, please log on to our iDonate page,
https://www.idonate.ie/event/SkerriesTidyTowns25
Or donations can be given to any Committee member or left in an envelope for us at the
Reception Desk in the Community Centre. Thank you again, your support makes all the
difference!
Skerries Tidy Towns,
Protecting the Environment
A Committee of Skerries Community Association

Why Skerries has been crowned Ireland’s Greenest Town

Posted on December 1, 2025 by admin

Members of the Skerries Eco Team in the community garden at Skerries Wind Mills. Photograph: Alan Betson/Irish Times

In September, Skerries received the accolade of the Greenest Town in Ireland 2025 in The Irish Times / Electric Ireland Greenest Places Awards.

The judges praised Skerries for its community-driven environmental action, its creativity and the way sustainability is woven into everyday life. From biodiversity and waste reduction to renewable energy and education, Skerries stands out as a town that leads by example.

Just consider the biodiversity-friendly planters, bee gardens, bike stands, water refill points, rainwater collection systems and the Skerries Eco Town Wall – all perfect examples of a town that understands the importance of sustainability.

In the Irish Times, it was noted that “the people of Skerries have created a pollinator corridor that runs from Skerries Mills to Ardgillan. It organises groups of local children to gather and remove plastic from the beaches. Here, as in other communities such as Inagh in Co Clare, community buildings including town halls and GAA centres have put in solar panels, replaced pitch lighting with LED, and installed water refill stations”.

The “simple but brilliant idea of creating a Beach Toybox” also received high praise from the Irish Times. The Beach Toybox does what it says on the tin: it’s a big box of all the essentials that children love to play with at the beach, it’s free to all, and it saves people from buying more toys every summer. Use them as you please, just make sure to return them to the box when you’re finished.

Behind every project in Skerries is a passionate network of volunteers and community groups working together with purpose and pride. These include Sustainable Skerries, the Skerries Community Association, Skerries Cycling Initiative, Skerries Tidy Towns, the Skerries Community Garden, Skerries Autism Friendly Town and the Skerries Sustainable Energy Community Initiative and Skerries Men’s Shed.

If you’re interested in becoming more sustainable in your daily life, email sustainableskerries@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Skerries Tidy Towns!

Posted on November 3, 2025 by admin

Congratulations to Skerries Tidy Towns for yet another triumph in the national competition! Skerries was awarded County Second and a Gold Medal!

For full report, click here

Celebration of local heroine May McGee

Posted on October 10, 2025 by admin

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.

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 Community Association Annual General Meeting 2025

Posted on May 30, 2025 by SMcK

See who we are & what we have done!

Thursday 19 June 2025, 8 p.m., Little Theatre, Skerries Community Centre

No need to register, just come along!

The official Notification for AGM 2025, the audited accounts for 2024 and the 2025 SCA AGM Flyer with updates from all our committees and from the SCA itself as well as the Skerries Community Centre are below.

Click to access the accounts (PDF) or go here: https://www.skerriesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Signed-accounts-by-SCA-30.05.25.pdf

Skerries Tidy Towns Wins a Gold Medal, Celebrating Success with a Local Awards Ceremony

Posted on November 24, 2024 by admin

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