Carlow to host next year’s Entente Florale competition

CARLOW town has been selected to host the prestigious Entente Florale Europe Competition next year.

Entente Florale Europe is a continent-wide competition for villages, towns, cities, communities and public bodies highlighting how a green environment improves quality of life.

Carlow’s selection follows a successful performance in the competition in 2024, when the town swept the boards at the Entente Florale awards ceremony in Hungary. Carlow town was the only large urban town to represent Ireland and received an overall Gold Award, the President’s Prize for a rain garden development and a Special Characteristic Prize for its Delta Sensory Gardens.

A delegation visited the town last Thursday to mark its new role as the next host.

The delegation visited two locations: An Gairdín Beo and the award-winning Delta Sensory Gardens.

“Following our success at Entente Florale 2024, being asked to play host next year as a town of 27,000 people is a significant honour,” said Carlow County Council cathaoirleach Ken Murnane.

“It is further acknowledgement of how Carlow is leading the charge in Ireland on sustainable and community-centred living.

“The council’s Climate Action Plan aims to reduce county emissions by 51% and increase energy efficiency in the public sector to 50% by 2030, and it is heartening to receive Europe-wide recognition for our efforts.” 

 Mayor of Carlow town councillor Paul Doogue praised the community for helping to establish the area as a sustainable hub.

“As well as Carlow County Council, it is the hard work of Carlow Tidy Towns and many community groups and external organisations that have helped our town to reach this exciting point,” he said.

Later this month, representatives including cathaoirleach Ken Murnane, mayor Paul Doogue and council chief executive Coilín O’Reilly will attend Entente Florale 2025 in Velenje, Slovenia. At the prize-giving ceremony in Slovenia on 25 September, they will be presented with the Entente Florale Flag to symbolise a passing of the baton to Carlow town as the next host location.

“Beyond the ceremonial flag-giving, we look forward to the opportunity to showcase Carlow town through a presentation and video at the awards ceremony and will highlight Carlow products at the European market,” said Mr O’Reilly.

“Our town has so much to offer. This is an exciting chance to platform our innovative approach and commitment to sustainability on a European stage.” 

 In 2024, the town was nominated by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to represent Ireland in the Large Urban Centre Category.