Kerry towns and villages are celebrating another outstanding year at the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards, with Tralee retaining its national title and communities across the county recognised for their commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, environmental care and community inclusion.
The results, announced on Friday, 23 October at a ceremony in Croke Park, highlight the dedication of volunteers and community groups throughout Kerry, whose work continues to enhance the places where people live, work and visit.
Tralee Retains Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre Title
Leading the county’s achievements once again is Tralee TidyTowns, which has retained the prestigious title of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2026, scoring an impressive 412 marks and securing a €5,000 prize.
Tralee also won the South West & Mid-West Regional Award and was named a Greenway Award winner in the Greenways & Active Travel Award for the groups Community Biodiversity Action Plan for the Kingdom of Kerry Greenway (Tralee to Fenit).
Its score of 412 marks represents an increase of 13 points on its 2025 result of 399, underlining the continued progress being made by the town’s TidyTowns committee and its wider network of volunteers and community partners.
The achievement is particularly significant in a competition that attracted 936 entrants nationwide this year, demonstrating the scale of community participation and environmental ambition across Ireland.
Gold Medals Across Kerry
Tralee’s success is matched by strong performances throughout Kerry, with several towns and villages achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals.
Kenmare secured County Second place with 411 marks and a Gold Medal, while Killarney took County Third with 410 marks, also earning Gold.
Sneem and Listowel continued their excellent performances, receiving Gold Medals with scores of 409 and 407 respectively. Portmagee achieved a Silver Medal with 402 marks, while Knightstown received a Bronze Medal with 393 marks.
The Kerry Endeavour Award, which recognises the entrant making the greatest percentage improvement on the previous year’s score, went to The Spa.
Together, these results reflect the breadth of community commitment across Kerry, from larger urban centres to smaller villages and coastal communities.
Sneem, Castlegregory and Portmagee Lead Environmental Recognition
Beyond the county rankings, Kerry communities achieved further recognition in several of the competition’s special awards, particularly in sustainability, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
Castlegregory TidyTowns won the Village/Small Town category of the Sustainable Development Goals Award.
Sneem TidyTowns enjoyed another successful year, winning the Circular Economy Award, sponsored by the Clean Technology Centre at Munster Technological University. Sneem was also named the South West & Mid-West regional winner in the Waters and Communities Award.
Sneem also won the South West & Mid-West regional Village/Small Town category of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Authority Pollinator Award, while Tralee was the regional winner in the Large Town/Large Urban Centre category. Each received €1,000, recognising the importance of local action to support pollinators and biodiversity.
Portmagee received a regional runner-up award in the Waters and Communities Award and was highly commended in the Dark Sky Ireland Award. Ballybunion North Kerry Environmental Forum was also highly commended in the Dark Sky Ireland Award, highlighting the range of environmental initiatives being advanced across the county.
These achievements demonstrate how local communities are embracing environmental responsibility in different ways, from protecting biodiversity and waterways to promoting sustainable practices and caring for Kerry’s natural surroundings.
Glenbeigh Celebrates National Inclusive Communities Award
Glenbeigh TidyTowns secured one of the county’s standout accolades, winning the national SuperValu Inclusive Communities Award.
The award adds another dimension to Kerry’s success in 2026, recognising the importance of communities that strive to be welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
Tralee also received recognition in this area, finishing as runner-up in the Large Town/Large Urban Centre category of the Dementia Inclusive Community Award.
A Celebration of Kerry’s Community Spirit
The 2026 results are a testament to the dedication of TidyTowns committees, volunteers, local businesses, schools, community organisations and residents throughout Kerry. Their efforts often take place quietly throughout the year, but their impact can be seen in the care of public spaces, environmental projects, biodiversity initiatives and the pride communities take in their surroundings.
From Tralee’s continued national success to the achievements of Kenmare, Killarney, Listowel, Sneem, Castlegregory, Portmagee, Glenbeigh and communities across the county, this year’s awards demonstrate the strength and diversity of Kerry’s community spirit.
Congratulations to all the Kerry groups and volunteers recognised in the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards, and to everyone whose hard work helps make the county such a special place to live, work and visit.
These achievements are made possible through the continued support and funding of Kerry County Council, the sponsorship of SuperValu, the Department, and the many supporting organisations that work together with local communities to help achieve these fantastic results for Kerry in 2026. Their ongoing commitment helps empower TidyTowns groups and volunteers to enhance their communities, protect the environment and build a more sustainable future for the county.
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