DONAGHADEE has confirmed it is one of the best places to live in Northern Ireland by winning the Best Kept Small Town award for 2025.
And while there is great delight at winning the award, presented by the Amenity Council, fingers are crossed that the seaside town will win other awards later this year.
The town is in line for a fifth consecutive trophy in the Ulster in Bloom Awards, sponsored by Translink, which are set to be announced today (Thursday).
And whatever the outcome, Donaghadee will bring its blooming marvellous record of previous wins – including a gold in 2023 – to Brighton for the Britain in Bloom Awards on October 31, hopeful that the town’s vibrant floral facade will again win over the judges.
The chances for further accolades don’t stop there – on November 7 the town is up for a Pride of Place Awards, an all-Ireland competition taking place in Limerick.
Donaghadee was voted best place to live in NI in 2023 by the Sunday Times and among the top three places in the newspaper’s 2024 poll. The town’s particular charms and attractions are also to be the focus of an upcoming episode of the BBC’s Escape to the Country which began filming this week.
A spokesman for Donaghadee Community Development Association said the awards engendered ‘great community spirit’ and encouraged greater ‘responsibility for the environment’.
“It’s always good to be nominated for awards and for Donaghadee to obtain the recognition it richly deserves,” said the spokesman.
He said the ‘real measurement’ was the impact such awards had ‘on community spirit and civic pride’.
Local councillor James Cochrane congratulated the town on being Best Kept Small Town in this year’s Best Kept Awards, also hailing neighbouring Groomsport for securing the title of Best Kept Large Village.
The DUP politician for Bangor East and Donaghadee said: “I am absolutely delighted to congratulate Donaghadee and Groomsport on this fantastic achievement.
“These awards are a testament to the incredible dedication of the volunteers and community groups who give up countless hours to keep the town and village looking their very best. Your hard work and pride in our communities truly make a difference.”
He added: “It has been clear for some time just how well kept and tidy Donaghadee and Groomsport are, and it is wonderful to see this formally recognised. I want to thank everyone involved — these awards are richly deserved and highlight the spirit and commitment of our local communities.”
At the presentation of the Best Kept Small Town award were (from left) Karina Robinson, Ards and North Down Council, UTV’s Joe Mahon, Liz McWatters of Donaghadee Community Development Association (DCDA); Alastair Kerr, from the council, Denis Waterworth, chair of DCDA and its vice-chair, John McEwen.
