Winners announced for Limerick Going for Gold 2026

BRUFF Tidy Towns have been crowned overall champions at Limerick Going for Gold 2026, topping a field of 32 finalist communities recognised for their commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, environmental stewardship and community pride.

Limerick Going for Gold is a community-based competition with €74,500 in prize funding, celebrating the volunteers, residents' groups and community organisations working to make Limerick cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

The initiative is funded and co-ordinated by Limerick City and County Council in partnership with the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, and recognises projects that support biodiversity, waste reduction, environmental sustainability, civic pride and community development.

The positive impact of Limerick Going for Gold continues to grow with 82 groups from communities across Limerick applying to take part in 2026.

32 communities reached the finals across a range of categories, with the winners announced at a ceremony attended by representatives from communities throughout Limerick City and County at the Greenhills Hotel.

A new ‘Youth Involvement’ category was also introduced for 2026.

Five of the finalists in the Tidy Towns category were selected by popular vote on the Limerick Today show on Live95 with the remaining areas chosen by the judges, Pat Shearin and Michael Griffin (retirees from Limerick City and County Council) following visits to all of the areas.

2026 Winners:

Tidy Towns Category

• 1st place: Bruff Tidy Towns, receiving €10,000
• 2nd place: Adare Tidy Towns, receiving €7,000
• 3rd place: Patrickswell Tidy Towns, receiving €5,000
• 4th place: Castleconnell Tidy Towns, receiving €3,000
• 5th place: Kilmallock Tidy Towns, receiving €2,000
• Highly Commended: Croom Tidy Towns, Newcastle West Tidy Towns, Kilteely Tidy Towns, and Askeaton Tidy Towns, receiving €1,500 each
• Commended: Herbertstown Tidy Towns, receiving €1,500

Limerick Bee Friendly in Bloom

• 1st place: Glenroe Tidy Towns, receiving €5,000
• 2nd place: Carrigkerry Community Council, receiving €3,000
• 3rd place: Cappamore Tidy Towns, receiving €2,000
• Highly Commended: Garrienderk Community Development and Ballyhahill Development Association, receiving €1,000 each

Residential Areas

• 1st place: Johnsgate Residents' Association, receiving €3,000
• 2nd place: Grange Residents' Association, receiving €2,000
• 3rd place: Monaleen Park Residents' Association receiving €1,500
• Highly Commended: Slugaire Residents' Association, receiving €1,000
• Commended: Garryowen Residents' Association and Ballinacurra Road Residents' Association, receiving €1,000 each

Endeavour Awards

• Ardpatrick Community Council, receiving €1,000
• Janesboro Residents' Group, receiving €1,000

Sustainability, Waste Prevention & Community Engagement (Reuse Award)

• Gateway to Education, receiving €5,000

Judges' Special Awards

Best Use of Natural Resources: Granagh Development Association, receiving €2,000

Attractive Artistic Illustration of Place: Kilmeedy Development Group CLG, receiving €1,500

Promoting Biodiversity Among Adults, Children and Young People: Hospital Family Resource Centre, receiving €1,500

Best Community Garden in an Urban Setting: Meadowbrook Residents' Association, receiving €1,000

New Community Garden Initiative: Effin Tidy Towns Group, receiving €1,000

Special Awards

• Best New Entrant: Old Pallas RA, receiving €1,500
• Youth Involvement: Hospital Tidy Towns, receiving €1,500

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran congratulated all the participating communities, saying: "Bruff Tidy Towns are deserving Overall Champions and I congratulate everyone involved in their success. Across Limerick, thousands of volunteers give their time and energy to improve their communities, enhance biodiversity and create places where people are proud to live, work and visit. Limerick Going for Gold demonstrates what can be achieved when local people come together with a shared vision for their area, and I want to thank every group that participated in this year's competition."

Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Tom Ruddle, added: "Going for Gold is one of the most positive initiatives we support as a local authority because it shines a light on the often-unseen work carried out by community groups throughout the year. Whether planting, maintaining public spaces, supporting biodiversity or bringing neighbours together, volunteers are making a real difference in every corner of Limerick. I congratulate all of this year's finalists and winners on their achievements."

Representative of JP McManus Charitable Foundation, Helen O'Donnell, said the competition is helping to foster positive community action across Limerick: “Limerick Going for Gold highlights the important role local communities play in creating cleaner, greener and more sustainable places to live. Through their involvement, volunteers of all ages are promoting biodiversity, enhancing their local environment and demonstrating environmental stewardship in action. While each project may be local in focus, together they are delivering a significant positive impact across the county, creating thriving communities while helping to protect and enhance the natural environment for future generations.”

Dr Pat Daly, director general, Limerick City and County Council, commented: "Limerick Going for Gold is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when communities, the local authority and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation work together. I want to thank every group that entered this year’s competition for their hard work and dedication. Their efforts are helping to make Limerick cleaner, greener and more sustainable while strengthening the sense of pride and community spirit that exists across the city and county."

A spokesperson for the event said: “The success of Limerick Going for Gold would not be possible without the support of our valued media and promotional partners: Live95, The Limerick Leader, The Limerick Post, I Love Limerick, and Southern Marketing Design & Media.”