Louth Looking Good Awards 2013

Most Improved
Omeath

General Cleanliness
Although you have a large area to cover, including car parks and a childrens playground, your litter management is very good. In fact an air of pristine cleanliness pervades your entire village and we were impressed also by your weed control, with only a few spotted around unoccupied premises and in derelict sites.

Landscaping Works
The newly refurbished area at the promenade is simply spectacular with three symmetrical dazzling beds of African marigold impressively teamed with different varieties of french marigold in a contrasting asymmetrical paved area that was reminiscent of sea waves lapping on a shore. The elimination of the old beds works well here with a lovely planted scheme of lavender, pink roses and armeria providing a splash of summer colour. The new street furniture in aqua green is very impressive and the single planting of standard red robin in your large green containers is a great idea. All your planters throughout the village have also been painted in matching sea green, as has Menas stall which occupies such a prominent position in Omeath - this attention to detail is paying dividends. The well managed biodiversity bed at the back of the car park ticks all the boxes with borage, tansy achillea and south African fox tail providing not only great beauty but also a wealth of bounty for wildlife! Your well painted pumps are suitably adorned with troughs of African marigold, nasturtium and trailing nepeta and with imagination and hard work you have transformed the entrance to the Caravan Park from an eyesore into a thing of beauty where fragrant sweet pea and colourful clematis climb your attractive wooden trellis in prefect harmony! You have managed to camouflage an otherwise ugly gateway with a visually attractive insect hotel through we do suspect conditions for guests may not be ideal and in fact both your hotels probably need to be reconstructed! What a marvellous selection of wildflowers you have in your Eco Tribes garden along the sea shore where cornflower, corn cockle, praiseach, wild carrot etc. flourish in what was previously a waste ground and well done to the local primary school! There is no scarcity of artistic talent in Omeath and it is undoubtedly put to good use in improving drab areas with captivating murals. Your latest endeavour on the walls of the previously derelict Dublin House not only transforms this whole area but it captures the attention of passerby and conveys an important road safety message. Your central green with picnic tables and nicely touched-up townland murals is well maintained and spotlessly clean in spite of the fact we arrived very early in the morning after bank holiday Monday!

Summer Planting/Floral Displays

Your hanging baskets of cream and crimson petunia were particularly vibrant this year as were the many delightful containers, all repainted, in your village colour scheme and prominently displayed throughout the village. As already mentioned the three beds at the sea front in monochrome colour were magnificent and created immediate impact at this central location.

Appearance of Approach Roads

The approach roads are well presented and we were particularly impressed with the green planters of multi-colour petunia and lobelia evenly spaced on immaculate grassy verges on the approach road from Carlingford with attractive large stones adorning the verges on the opposite side. The litter league sign is highlighted to great effect with petunia, snapdragon and evening primrose. We have no doubt that with your work rate, plans are already underway to erect appropriate signage which would be a lovely addition to your presentation!

Individual Contribution Residential/Business

The Granvue Hotel is to be congratulated for its radiant hanging baskets of pink petunia and blue lobelia, teamed with attractive bay hedging and featuring four standard bay trees to soften the built landscape. The petrol station in its central location provides a lovely touch multi-seasonal colour in a large stone bed of clipped shrubs, french marigold and petunia. The corner at Mulligans adorned with flowers and retro-style shop front with nostalgic window display in itself is a major Omeath attraction, with seats provided in bright sea-side colours where older visitors can relax and dream of sunny childhood summer days. Most businesses in the core village area provided a lovely splash of colour with Howes, Crystal and Pearl Crafts, Sopa Lorcan, Hairlooms, Caf Rosa, Omeath Post Office, Blooms, the Credit Union and Garda Station all to the fore. The landscaped beds at Bothar Bu were particularly impressive as were the shrub beds at the school, the Church and the graveyard. While private residences were mostly well presented we were stopped in our tracks by the outstanding country style garden at the speed limit sign.

Overall Impression
Omeath never fails to impress and we are quite astounded by you rapid progress. You are quickly becoming the jewel in the crown of the Cooley Peninsula! Congratulations on your well deserved Most Improved award.