Limerick City and County Council and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation have announced the five wildcard entrants that will join this year's Limerick Going for Gold Tidy Towns category competition.
Following extensive adjudication by judges Michael Griffin and Pat Shearin, the five communities selected as wildcard entrants are: Adare, Askeaton, Bruff, Herbertstown and Kilteely.
The five wildcard communities will join Castleconnell, Croom, Kilmallock, Newcastle West and Patrickswell who secured their places through a public vote hosted by Live 95.
The winners of all categories will be announced at the Limerick Going for Gold 2026 Final Awards Ceremony, taking place at the Greenhills Hotel on 22 October 2026.
€75,000 worth of prizes will be distributed in the 2026 final of the competition to make Limerick a cleaner and more sustainable place to work, live and visit.
In addition to the prize fund of €75,000, almost €80,000 in Environmental Improvement Grants has been distributed to local communities throughout Limerick earlier in the year.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran congratulated the five wildcard winners:
Limerick Going for Gold continues to showcase the vibrant community spirit found in towns and villages across our county. Congratulations to Adare, Askeaton, Bruff, Herbertstown and Kilteely on securing wildcard places in this year's competition. The standard was exceptional, a reflection of the volunteer effort taking place in every corner of Limerick."
Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Councillor Tom Ruddle added:
“The work being undertaken by community groups, Tidy Towns committees and local volunteers across Limerick is making a real difference to the places where we live. I congratulate the wildcard recipients and all those participating in Limerick Going for Gold 2026, and I wish them every success in the competition ahead.”
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr. Pat Daly commented:
“Limerick Going for Gold is much more than a competition. It is an investment in stronger, more sustainable communities and a recognition of the volunteers whose commitment enhances our towns, villages and residential areas throughout the year.”
Limerick Going for Gold 2026 prizes will be spread over a range of categories:
- Tidy Towns Category – open to groups who have entered Tidy Towns 2026 National Competition
- Limerick Bee Friendly in Bloom - open to all Tidy Towns groups including groups who have not entered Tidy Towns 2026
- Residential Areas – open to all estates and residential areas across Limerick who applied for the Limerick Going for Gold Environment Improvement Grant in 2026 including resident’s groups and associations located in the regeneration area
- Endeavour Award – goes to the most improved Limerick entrant in the National Tidy Towns Competition Awards
- Sustainability, Waste Prevention & Community Engagement (former Reuse Award) - (Circular Economy – Repair/reuse/recycle) - A group/community/club which has come to the attention of Limerick City and County Council for preventing waste or encouraging the prevention of waste by the means of Reuse, waste reduction, use of recycled materials
- Best New Entrant – open to newly formed community groups
Limerick Going for Gold is funded by Limerick City and County Council and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation. It is supported by our partners: Live 95, the Limerick Leader, The Limerick Post, I Love Limerick and Southern Marketing Design Media.
