Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees organised ‘Irvinestown Best Kept Garden Awards’ this year in conjunction with the Lady of the Lake Festival to recognise and celebrate residents who take pride in their gardens and outside spaces.

Mr. Irvine, Greentown Environmental – who independently judged the gardens – found the experience of judging the gardens to be very enjoyable and she was delighted that gardeners were not only conscious of the environment by planting bee-friendly plants, they had also recycled old items into planters, planted fruit and vegetables, created bird baths, and introduced water butts and solar power into their gardens.

The overall winner of the Best Kept Garden Awards was presented to Mrs. Greta Rooney, of No. 5, Castle Street.

Mr. Irvine said that the garden was immaculate, filled with colourful plants and shrubs, a haven for birds and bees, and was overall a beautiful outside space.

Mrs. Rooney explained that her garden was more than 60 years old, and as a child, she had helped her mother, Mrs. Kelly, to maintain the garden, gaining years of experience from a young age.

Mrs. Rooney has expanded and developed her garden into a showcase garden and is now passing on her skills to her children, with the garden enjoyed by family, friends and everyone who passes by her home.

Prize winners were invited to the awards ceremony at the Lady of the Lake Festival, Fair Day at Castle Irvine Estate. The 2022 categories and winners included the following.

Highly Commended gardens (in no particular order):

Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy: No. 56, Sallyswood;

Mr. Geoff Hunter: No. 9, Castle Street;

Mrs. Rita Maguire: No. 20, Hillcrest Drive; and

Mr. Mark Spratt: No. 15, Brownhill Meadows.

Environmental Awareness Garden Awards:

First place: Reverend and Mrs. Thompson: No. 4, Ardlougher Road; and

Second place: Mr. and Mrs. Mollan, No. 3, The Commons.

Small Garden Awards:

First place: Mrs. Greta Rooney, No. 5, Castle Street; and

Second place: Ms. Linda McDonagh, No. 37, Forthill Park.

Medium/Large Garden Awards:

First place: Mr. and Mrs. Seamus Doris, No. 32, Kesh Road; and

Second place: Mr. and Mrs. McArt, No. 44, Lack Road.

Business in Bloom Awards:

First place: Mahon’s Hotel, Mill Street; and

Second place: Active Allsorts Afterschools Club, Market Yard, Mill St.

Highly Commended: ARC Healthy Living Centre, Sallyswood.

Best Kept Development/Estate:

This year, a new award was presented for Best Kept Development/Estate in Irvinestown – the award was won by Forthill Park, the oldest park in Irvinestown. Congratulations to everyone in Forthill Park.

Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees would like to congratulate everyone in Irvinestown for their ongoing ‘blooming success’. The event was kindly funded by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.