Overall Developmental Approach
Welcome to the Competition and thank you for a very comprehensive submission together with explanatory map and photographs. You have entered into the spirit of the Competition and you also seem to recognise that long term planning and sustained effort are the key to successful Tidy Towns. Your challenge now is to bring the community with you in your endeavours.
The Built Environment
The first thing that must be said about Moyvane is that the road surface is by far the best in the county and this must surely act as a stimulus for you to pursue high standards in other areas of activity. The village is long and linear and will require a good deal of attention. You have done well in erecting Fáilte signs at the approach roads and these give a defined effect to the village. The church and school are fair in presentation and would benefit from landscaping to improve colour. Even painting the boundary walls of the church car park would improve. Would it be feasible to relocate the gas cylinder at the church or screen it. Newtownsands Co-Op is the best presented Co-Op encountered by this adjudicator – well done to those responsible.
Landscaping
You have scored well in this section and the village tree planting of previous years is now enhancing the area. There is heartening evidence of community and individual effort in presenting so many window boxes, hanging baskets and flower beds in and around the village. The picnic areas are excellent. There is an excellent display of flowers/shrubs beside Holly’s Food store.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities
Well done on an excellent nature walk, complete with well defined entry points and attractive display boards. It is obvious you are also conscious of the tourism value of Kerry Walks and Moyvane rates highly with others. A little more attention to weed growth at the picnic seating would help.
Litter Control
In general litter control was good and you seem to have a sufficient number of litter bins. The old Dawn Milk Van parked on the roadside near the Credit Union is unsightly and needs to be removed.
Tidiness
Your problems here relate to a good deal of derelict and unoccupied houses and other buildings. This will take time to remedy, but sometimes the more prominent ones can be given a facelift – though temporary, it would improve their appearance. The unoccupied house beside M Kennelly needs painting as it is in a prominent position. You have many rusty corrugated roofs needing attention. The village has one interesting distinction with regard to farm activity. You have many small fields accommodating young livestock in the village centre. Almost all of these are now a tourist attraction and are very well managed. The area opposite the Co-Op is of particular interest with well presented gates and boundary walls.
Residential Areas
The standard of housing is good and most are well presented. This section offers scope for individuals and indeed people who may not wish to be part of a group movement, but who nevertheless can play an important part by presenting their own premises to a high standard. With regard to new buildings you should lay emphasis on village infill rather than ribbon development. This would lead to a reduction in derelict and unoccupied houses in the village.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas
As mentioned the road surface is superb and the footpath development of previous years is well maintained. You have a problem with too many plastic signs which are now out of date. Indeed the village would lend itself admirably to a revival of traditional shopfronts. You might consider this as a medium term project. The view of rural Kerry on offer as you leave the village by the church is really excellent. It could be further enhanced by appropriate tree planting – preferably of similar species on each side of the road.
General Impression
You have done well for a first entry. The village has great potential for much improvement. Your submission suggests a good understanding of what Tidy Towns is all about. Your aim now should be for a slow steady pace that will address the problem areas and enhance further areas that are doing well. In particular, your biggest challenge is one of organisation and your ability to liaise effectively with the various agencies and bring the community with you in your endeavours. Good luck.
