While Tyrrellspass has gained an impressive additional 10 marks in the 2016 Tidy Towns competition, Ballinahown village, six miles south of Athlone, remains clearly in first place overall in Westmeath, with 319 marks, thirteen ahead of Tyrrellspass at 306, seven points clear of third-placed Glasson, on 299.
At least ten other entrants show big improvements and overall, more than twenty of the 34 Westmeath entries improved by double figures. In fourth spot behind Glasson (up by 11) was Athlone on 294 marks (up 13), and Castlepollard (up by 13 marks) just two behind them, on 292. Raharney (up by 12 marks this time) were in sixth place on 288, with Ballynacargy just a mark behind them on 287 (up 11 marks). Two points behind them (but improved by 5) were Multyfarnham, on 285, while Rosemount (up 14), Ballinagore (up 9), Collinstown (up 9) and Streamstown (up 13) were tied on 284 marks. Tubberclair improved by a significant 14 marks, reaching 281 this year.
Looking at these marks and at eight towns and villages with more than 270 marks, it looks likely that there will be plenty of challengers eyeing the top spot in the county within a few years. Mullingar gained 277 marks (up 10), with Tang on 276 (up 11), Milltownpass on 275 (up 10), the same as Rochfortbridge (up by 12). Moate had 274 (up by 16), Moyvore had 272 (up by 12), and Kilbeggan (up by 14) and Rathowen (up by 16) both had 271.
Another seven places in Westmeath gained in excess of 260 marks, Kinnegad (up 10) on 267, the same total as Ballymore (up 7), with Drumcree on 266 (up 9), Coole (up 12) and Castledaly (up 10) both on 265 and Crookedwood on 264 (up 8). Ballykeeran (up 8) had 262 marks this time.
Finea gained an extra 12 marks, reaching 255, with Loughnavalley gaining 15, to reach 254. Mount Temple (no entry last year) gained an impressive 245 marks, while Ballinalack gained an extra 18 marks, to reach 240 and Delvin, gaining 13 extra, reached 237 this time. Another new entrant, Killucan-Rathwire finished on 200 marks.
