Tipperary’s Marlfield Village Association wins the Waters and Communities Special Award, which is jointly sponsored by the Local Authority Waters Programme, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland
24th October 2025: Marlfield Village Association in Co. Tipperary has been announced as the overall winner of the Waters and Communities Special Award 2025 at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony held in Croke Park on Friday, 24th October.
Over 40 applications were received for the award with the top prize being €2,000 for the group that was judged to have demonstrated the best stewardship of their local waterbody.
Marlfield Village Association has adopted a multi-faceted approach to raising awareness of their local water bodies, focusing on Marlfield Lake and the River Suir. The group’s use of interpretive signage, visual art and guided walks around the lake have helped educate the public – both young and old – about the importance of the area’s rich aquatic biodiversity. Volunteer-led maintenance of Marlfield Lake and Sandybanks, including mowing, litter control, planting, and care for swans and ducklings, has deepened local pride and stewardship. Successful partnerships with the local GAA club on a biodiversity plan, in addition to working closely with Tipperary County Council, Birdwatch Ireland and LAWPRO, among others, on a multitude of projects has helped bring improvements to water quality in the area.
Speaking about the awards Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO, said: “The members of Marlfield Village Association submitted an impressive application which showcased a range of ways community groups can help protect their local water body. Pride of place, stewardship, dedication and passion for improving Marlfield Lake, the River Suir and nearby water bodies, were clear to see and their hard work deserves recognition at this national level.
Congratulations to the other regional winners and runners-up, and thank you to our partners SuperValu, Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland for their continued work and support with the award.”
John McDonagh, CEO of Waterways Ireland, added: “Waterways Ireland judges were impressed by the energy and creativity of the Waters and Communities Award entries. The winning applications clearly showed how community groups are using their local waterbody to deliver innovative projects that create tangible environmental benefits, inclusive engagement opportunities and long-term water stewardship driven by local pride.”
Lynda Connor, Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s south-eastern region, said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is pleased to co-sponsor this award and warmly congratulates Marlfield Village Association. Our rivers, lakes, streams and canals are precious natural assets that boost biodiversity and enrich the environment for everyone. IFI also acknowledges the efforts of all entrants to the award and recognises the many groups committed to enhancing our vital waterways for future generations.”
Winners of the Waters and Communities Award 2025
| Community group | County | Region | Prize money |
| Marlfield Village Association | Tipperary | Overall Winner and South East Winner | €2,000 |
| Clashmore Tidy Towns | Waterford | South East Runner-Up | €500 |
| Longford Tidy Towns | Longford | Midlands & East Winner | €1,000 |
| Dodder Action | Dublin | Midlands & East Runner-Up | €500 |
| Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns | Mayo | North West & West Winner | €1,000 |
| Emyvale Tidy Towns | Monaghan | North West & West Runner-Up | €500 |
| Portmagee Tidy Towns | Kerry | South West & Mid West Winner | €1,000 |
| Glanworth Tidy Towns | Cork | South West & Mid West Runner- Up | €500 |
| Overall prize money | €7,000 | ||
In addition to the main SuperValu TidyTowns competition, Special Awards are held each year to highlight particular local environmental activities.
The Waters and Communities Special Award has an overall prize fund of €7,000. It aims to encourage communities to get more involved with their local water bodies by helping to preserve, promote and fully utilise their local natural heritage. Community groups that showed an appreciation for their water environment, and for water heritage in general, during the past twelve months were invited to apply.
The Waters and Communities Special Award is funded by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Local Authority Waters Programme. Open to all community groups to apply, the Waters and Communities Special Award was first introduced in 2017 and is now a regular feature in the TidyTowns calendar.