Groomsport Crowned Ireland's Best Kept Small Town as Ards and North Down Celebrates Double Success

Released: Tuesday 18 August 2026

Groomsport has been named Ireland's Best Kept Small Town 2026, with fellow Ards and North Down town Donaghadee also reaching the finals of the prestigious all-island competition.

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The winners of the 2026 Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition were announced at a special awards ceremony held in Riddel Hall, Belfast, where Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, congratulated communities from across the island for their outstanding achievements.

Groomsport and Donaghadee were among four finalists shortlisted in the Ireland's Best Kept Small Town category, alongside Adare, Co. Limerick and Rosslare Strand, Co. Wexford. Groomsport emerged as the category winner, receiving national recognition for its exceptional appearance, community pride, environmental stewardship and commitment to maintaining a welcoming place to live and visit.

The Ireland's Best Kept Town Competition is an all-island initiative that brings together top-performing communities from the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and Northern Ireland's Best Kept Awards. Entrants are assessed against strict criteria including cleanliness, presentation of public spaces, the appearance of buildings, roads and facilities, and the quality of the local environment.

Congratulating the winners, Minister Calleary praised the dedication and commitment shown by volunteers and local communities, describing the competition as a celebration of the community spirit and pride that exists across towns and villages throughout Ireland. He paid particular tribute to Groomsport as the 2026 winner of Ireland's Best Kept Small Town.

The Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor James Cochrane said,

"It's fantastic to see the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers who spend countless hours helping to keep Groomsport looking so well receive the recognition they deserve. Congratulations also to Donaghadee on being named finalists in the same category.

The commitment and effort of those who work tirelessly to enhance and maintain the area should be equally celebrated. We are absolutely delighted to see both Donaghadee and Groomsport recognised at these prestigious awards. You make us all incredibly proud and showcase the very best of our community spirit."

The 2026 competition marked the 31st year of the initiative, which was established to promote excellence in towns and villages across the island of Ireland through community-led environmental improvement and enhancement projects.

Photo caption: The Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor James Cochrane, alongside (L-R) Trevor Edwards, President of NI Amenity Council, Adrian Moore, Kaye Galloway (Groomsport Village Association), Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chair of the NI Amenity Council, Peter McMaster, Gillian Weeks, John Weir, Lorna McComb (Groomsport Village Association), William McCann.