Carlow town rolls out the red carpet for Friday's Entente Florale visit
Greening areas at Athy Road
CARLOW TOWN is putting its best foot forward for the International Entente Florale competition this week with the town never looking so good and community groups eager to showcase their work.
From green spaces to landscaping, litter picking to enhancing streetscapes there isn’t a street in the town that hasn’t benefitted for a fresh new-look – the town is looking incredible!
The judges will be in Carlow on Friday 12 July and will enjoy a tour of the town, visiting a number of locations including St Mary’s Church Haymarket, Carlow Fire Station, Linear Park/Carlow Bus Park, Hanover Park, Carlow Town Park, Carlow College, Visual, St Laserian’s NS and Delta Sensory Gardens.
“A huge amount of enhancing and improvement works have been carried out, improving and soften lots of areas throughout the town,” said town engineer Bary Knowles. “Entente Florale maybe next Friday but this work is really for the betterment of everyone in Carlow going forward,” he encouraged.
While the aesthetical benefits of these projects are immediate they also have huge practical benefits too.
“The rainwater gardens at both the Old Dublin Road and Shamrock Plaza are nature based solutions but they also have huge benefits not just environmental but social benefits, you see people’s expression change as they walk by. It’s greening the grey and taking the hardscape areas and improving them aesthetically,” said Barry.
The range of planting used, the appearance of hanging baskets on Dublin Street and the Linear Walkway at Hanover, three-tier planters dotted throughout the town and painting works that have brighten and awaken our town.
The prestigious European Entente Florale contest, which aims to promote greener and healthier environments, will also see Carlow town’s dedicated groups showcase their remarkable efforts in enhancing natural and built environments, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainable practices. The event will bring together 31 community-based agencies and voluntary organisations to SETU Sports Campus for the first event on judging day. There, the groups will present their contributions to environmental sustainability and community beautification to the Entente Florale judges.
“Between community groups and council departments we will have 31 information stands and displays to show the judges in the SETU Sports Camps,” praised Laura Kelly, community section of Carlow County Council. “It had really been great for the town and has brought everyone together. There’s been huge collaboration between all the groups involved and council and incredible work done,” she encouraged.
Among the groups on display and key to the huge efforts made is Carlow Tidy Towns, who is renowned for its extensive efforts in maintaining and beautifying Carlow town. Their initiatives not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the town but also promote sustainable practices and community involvement. Their work has been instrumental in fostering a sense of pride and ownership among residents.
The Green Road Residents Association has been at the forefront of creating biodiversity-friendly areas within Carlow town. Their implementation of no-mow zones supports local wildlife and promotes a healthier ecosystem. Their efforts have transformed local green spaces into thriving habitats that contribute to the town’s overall environmental health.
An Gairdín Beo has modelled sustainable practices in all aspects of its development over the past ten years. The volunteer-run community garden facilitates community education and opportunities for wellness are provided in terms of overall holistic sustainable living.
The garden contains a growing area where local groups, schools, and organisations grow food without the use of chemical fertilisers or sprays. Soil quality is developed and sustained through best practice composting. The polytunnel adopts sustainable watering through a solar-powered irrigation system that pumps rainwater gathered from the potting shed.
The Biodiversity Area of the garden has become a haven for birds, insects, and a variety of plants, with a developing bog garden supporting native plants that thrive in a moist environment. The Therapeutic Area, shaded by magnificent trees, provides a quiet space for the healing power of nature, featuring a wildflower area that hums with insects and a ‘Bug Hotel’ ideal for fungi, an underestimated contributor to sustainability.
The buildings at An Gairdín Beo are being developed to maximise sustainable practice with rainwater harvesting, energy-saving technology, recycling, and importantly, as places where people come together to share learning, knowledge, questions, food, and fun. Carlow Beekeepers Association plays a crucial role in educating the community, especially children, about bees, beekeeping, and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. Their educational programmes and initiatives ensure that the younger generation appreciates the importance of bees and contributes to their preservation. The Delta Sensory Gardens offer a diverse array of themed gardens that provide a sensory experience for visitors.
From the Celtic Walk, which features Carlow Fence and granite pathways, to the Patio Garden ideal for alfresco dining, and the Peace Garden with its climbing plants and water features, each garden within Delta showcases unique plants and designs that enhance biodiversity and offer a tranquil environment for visitors. Carlow County Council looks forward to seeing the innovative and impactful information stands which will be presented by our dedicated community groups at the Entente Florale competition. This is the second time Carlow town has participated in Entente Florale. The town participated in 1999 and were awarded sliver, while both Clonegal and Leighlinbridge have also had the honour of representing the country in the competition.
