Drumshanbo achieves a very respectable 241/400 in 2009 Tidy Towns Competition.
Highlights of the full report are given below.
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" Your title ‘Pride in Drumshanbo’ is applauded, as is your pithy mission statement. Your 5-Year Development plan is impressive. ... Thank you for your first class map."
“The three churches, all in the same native stone but of wildly varying design, are well maintained. The Fire Station and the Health Centre are bright and clean. It is not usual to praise a premises that has mass-produced plastic signage, but in the case of the Gala Superstore that effect is small in comparison to the way in which this shop brightens up a dull sector. “
The grounds in the immediate vicinity of the Ramada are superbly designed and maintained. An attractive shrubbery and pavilion were seen opposite the schools on the Ballinamore road.
... Floral decorations on walls, lamp standards and house fronts at High Street really make the most of this unique precinct. An immense amount of voluntary work clearly goes into the making and maintaining of floral pyramids and hanging baskets – this is real community effort.
Trees come under this heading, including the planting of young trees. The manner in which mature timber is to be seen at in all quarters, even in quite small gardens, is a delight. Two examples on the Leitrim road: a vast copper beech and an ornamental monkey-puzzle opposite. The marshy ground in the vicinity of the Ramada Hotel was aglow with yellow iris on the date of the visit; it was good to see this land retained in its natural state. Acres Lake and the Canal Walk form a splendid facility for boaters, hikers and nature watchers; the circular route is not too long for groups of schoolchildren.
It is the 19th and early 20th century street houses, more than anything else, that give Drumshanbo its special flavour. The raised portion of High Street is especially attractive.
A very pleasing example of mature street houses is the painted terrace rising up Hill Street. Seven bright new town houses give a real lift to a formerly unattractive corner at Dowra road. Among the more recent suburban areas, Acres Cove has a pleasing disposition of dwellings arranged in curves and an attractive design deriving from the traditional with gables and dormers; and native hedges and trees.
Gleann Alainne is an opulent estate, very well presented, with excellent tree planting and a nice use of stone boundaries. Corryard is promising; the retention of ancient timber was noted; grass cuttings should be removed immediately after mowing. Cnoc an Iuir is also promising; the stepped arrangement of the housing was admired.
