John Devoy Memorial, Popular Square, Naas, Co Kildare.Ireland's Content Pool
Ireland's Best Kept Towns for 2025 were announced during an award cemerony at Farmleigh House in Dublin on Tuesday, June 17.
The awards, marking their 30th anniversary, are an all-island competition in which some of the best towns in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition.
All entrants were marked against strict adjudication criteria that included cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities, and the natural environment.
Naas, Co Kildare is the overall winner of Ireland’s Best Kept Town competition, 2025 - it also won this year's Best Kept Large Urban Centre category.
Meanwhile, Buncrana, Co Donegal won the Best Kept Large Town category, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone won the Best Kept Village category, and Royal Hillsborough, Co Down won the Best Kept Small Town category.
After congratulating the Best Kept 2025 winners, Ireland's Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, said: “Now in its 30th year, Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
"Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. It is testament to how local volunteers take ownership of their local area and work to improve them, for now and into the future.
“Being nominated for these awards is an achievement in itself. It is a recognition of the efforts made by volunteers and local communities in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and the Best Kept competition in Northern Ireland.”
Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the body that organises the Best Kept Awards, said: “These competitions continue to demonstrate the great pride that people have in their communities, North and South, and the hard work that is carried out by volunteers.
"Well done, your communities are richer for your efforts and hard work.
“My sincere congratulations to all of this year’s awards recipients in this, the 30th year of the competition, it comes as no surprise to me that Donaghmore and Royal Hillsborough have been recognised amongst Ireland’s most beautiful spots.”
Here are the nominees and winners for the 2025 Best Kept Awards:
Best Kept Village 2025
- Donaghmore, Co Tyrone - winner
- Eyeries, Co Cork
- Riverstown, Co Sligo
Best Kept Small Town 2025
- Royal Hillsborough, Co Down - winner
- Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
- Carlingford, Co Louth
- Randalstown, Co Antrim
Best Kept Large Town 2025
- Buncrana, Co Donegal - winner
- Comber, Co Down
- Rush, Co Dublin
Best Kept Large Urban Centre 2025
- Naas, Co Kildare - winner
- Carrigaline, Co Cork
- Derry, Co Derry
- Omagh, Co Tyrone
Overall Best Kept winner 2025
- Naas, Co Kildare