Ballincollig Welcomes the Communities in Bloom International Judges
Thursday 25 & Friday 26 June 2026
Representing Ireland in the Communities in Bloom International Challenge 2026 is an honour for Ballincollig, but with the arrival of the international judges in June, it was also an opportunity to showcase something far greater than colourful planting and beautiful landscapes. It was our chance to demonstrate the pride, partnership and community spirit that make Ballincollig such a special place to live, work and visit.
The Welcome Begins
Although the official adjudication was scheduled for Friday, preparations continued right up until the judges arrived.
On Thursday morning, while members of the Ballincollig Tidy Towns team travelled to Cork Airport to welcome the Communities in Bloom adjudicators, Dr Andrea Bocsi from Hungary and Mr. Anthony O'Leary from Canada, volunteers across the town were already hard at work putting the finishing touches in place. One of the final jobs saw volunteers spreading two tonnes of decorative stone at Eastgate, generously donated by Finbarr O'Neill Ltd. It was just one example of the many businesses and volunteers who quietly contributed behind the scenes.
The adjudicators' first official engagement was at Cork City Hall, where they were warmly welcomed by Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O'Sullivan and senior council officials. Through a series of presentations they learned about Cork City's vision for planning, urban development, biodiversity, sustainability and the exciting future of Ballincollig. The meeting also provided an opportunity for informal discussion, allowing the judges to explore the policies and long-term planning that underpin the town's continued development.
After settling into The Talbot Cork, the visitors were treated to dinner at The Plaza on Time Square, where they enjoyed wonderful food and hospitality from Mary and her team. The evening also gave them an opportunity to meet members of the local community in a relaxed setting before taking a leisurely stroll through Ballincollig village. On a beautiful summer evening they experienced the warm welcome for which Ballincollig is renowned, finishing the evening with traditional Irish music and refreshments in Healy's Bar.
Although the official judging had yet to begin, we hope the judges had already gained a genuine sense of what makes Ballincollig so special — not simply our environment, but our people.
As volunteers drove the adjudication route one final time that evening, there was a real sense of excitement and pride throughout the town. Ballincollig was ready.
Adjudication Day
Friday, 26 June 2026, will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant days in Ballincollig's history. It was the day our community proudly represented not only Ballincollig, but Cork City and Ireland on the international stage.
The day began on Main Street, where members of Ballincollig Business Association, Cork City Council's local staff and Ballincollig Tidy Towns volunteers welcomed the adjudicators. Walking through the town centre to Barrack Square, they learned about Ballincollig's regeneration, heritage and the strong partnerships that continue to shape the town.
From there, the tour moved to Ballincollig Regional Park, where coffee at Café Chico was followed by one of the highlights of the day—a golf buggy tour through the park with Cork City Council Parks and Biodiversity staff. This unique experience allowed the judges to appreciate one of Ballincollig's greatest assets while learning about its biodiversity, recreational facilities and ongoing conservation work.
The programme continued with visits to the Community Allotments and the Ballincollig Tidy Towns headquarters, where the judges explored our gardens, bug hotel, composting systems, rainwater harvesting, recycling facilities and volunteer workspaces.
One unexpected highlight at headquarters was a magnificent display of Ballincollig Tidy Towns' many awards, thoughtfully arranged by Cillian before the judges arrived. Seeing decades of achievements displayed together was a powerful reminder of the commitment and dedication of generations of volunteers. The judges were genuinely impressed by the collection, and many of us agreed afterwards that these awards deserve a permanent public display where the whole community can enjoy them.
Another memorable surprise came from Monika of Printout, who presented each of the adjudicators with a beautifully handcrafted wooden map of Ballincollig. The presentation had been organised without our knowledge and left everyone genuinely touched. It was a wonderful gesture that perfectly reflected the generosity and kindness of our community. Thank you, Monika, for such an unforgettable gift.
The judges then visited Scoil Barra, where students proudly showcased their Green Schools initiatives before travelling to the Westgate Foundation to learn about the invaluable work being carried out by the organisation and the many community groups that support people across Ballincollig.
Lunch at The White Horse Inn was another wonderful showcase of local collaboration. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal, generously supported by local suppliers including Lusso, Loving Salads, Ali's Kitchen and The White Horse, while members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann provided traditional Irish music, creating a warm and memorable atmosphere.
The afternoon continued with a visit to the Cork Biodiversity Hub at the Powdermills, highlighting the important work being undertaken to protect and enhance local biodiversity. At Ballincollig GAA Club, the judges met Tadhg Daly and members of the successful Under-15 Féile team, where they even had the opportunity to try their hand at hurling.
The final official visits took the adjudicators to Rosewood Residents Association and Rosenalee Care Centre, where they saw first-hand how community spirit, inclusion and civic pride are embraced across all generations. Following a full day of visits, the judges returned to The Talbot Cork for media interviews before reflecting on everything they had experienced throughout the day.
A Celebration of Community
The day concluded with a formal gala dinner at The Talbot Cork Hotel. Guests enjoyed a drinks reception followed by an exceptional meal in the company of the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Damien Boylan, public representatives, community leaders, volunteers and invited guests.
Following dinner, speeches and presentations provided an opportunity to reflect on what had been an extraordinary two days. More importantly, they celebrated the countless volunteers, organisations, businesses, schools, sports clubs and Cork City Council staff whose combined efforts made Ballincollig's participation possible.
Whether the judges were exploring our Regional Park, meeting schoolchildren, visiting community organisations or simply enjoying conversations with local people, one message remained constant throughout their visit — Ballincollig is a community that works together.
Representing Ireland in the Communities in Bloom International Challenge was a privilege, but regardless of the final results, Ballincollig had already achieved something remarkable. Over two unforgettable days, our town demonstrated the passion, pride, generosity and partnership that define our community.
To every volunteer, resident, business, school, organisation and supporter who played a part, thank you. You helped Ballincollig shine on the international stage, and our community can be immensely proud of what we achieved together.