A few years ago, I had the pleasure of working with Ennis Tidy Towns, photographing local events and community projects. I was kindly invited to join the team by the chairperson at the time, Áine, and it turned out to be an amazing experience!
Through my photography, I got to see first-hand the fantastic work that Ennis Tidy Towns does to improve the local community, promote environmental awareness, and bring people together through exciting events and initiatives.
From the Anti Gum Litter Taskforce to award-winning community projects and live music events, I had the opportunity to photograph some memorable moments and meet some wonderful people along the way.
Here are a few highlights from my time working with Ennis Tidy Towns.
Anti Gum Litter Taskforce
The Anti Gum Litter Taskforce was a joint initiative aimed at finding a long-term, sustainable solution to the problem of chewing gum litter. It encouraged people to take greater responsibility for keeping public spaces clean and helping to create a more attractive environment for everyone.
I had the opportunity to photograph the events in both 2012 and 2013. They were fantastic community occasions, featuring live music, visits from Spin South West and the Rose of Clare, face painting for children, and plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.
Luckily, the sun even came out for us!
It was great to be involved in a project that combined community spirit, environmental awareness, and entertainment while helping to promote the importance of keeping Ennis clean and tidy.
Ennis Tidy Towns National Awards at The Helix
One of the highlights of my experience was being invited to join the Ennis Tidy Towns committee at the 2012 Tidy Towns Awards in The Helix in Dublin.
It was a very special occasion, as the Ennis team won the national award for Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2012. The team also received the Overall Winner award for the 2012 Gum Litter Task Force initiative.
I was particularly excited about this achievement because the Gum Litter Task Force was one of the projects I had the opportunity to help with through my photography.
It was wonderful to see the hard work and dedication of the local volunteers recognised on a national stage. Being there to capture and celebrate the occasion made the experience even more memorable.
Love Live Music in Ennis
Another fantastic project I got to work on through Ennis Tidy Towns was the Love Live Music event.
The evening celebrated live music and Irish culture, with traditional Irish music performances featuring Lúnasa, Maura O’Connell, and many more talented musicians.
There was even an attempt to break the world record for the number of people playing the tin whistle at the same time. Sadly, we didn't quite manage it, but it was a brilliant effort!
The weather turned rainy, but that certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Everyone continued to enjoy the music and atmosphere, and I loved having the opportunity to photograph the event.
Getting a little behind the scenes experience with a backstage pass was an added bonus! It was a memorable night and another great example of how local events can bring people together through music and community spirit.
Ennis Tidy Towns Local Awards
In 2014 and 2015, I was invited to photograph the Ennis Tidy Towns Local Awards. These events celebrated the achievements and contributions of people in the local community.
There were several awards presented on each evening, including a photography award. I was delighted to win the photography award for an image I entered featuring my Granny and Aunt.
It was particularly special to have a photograph of two people close to me recognised at a local event. Photography has always been about capturing meaningful moments for me, so winning this award was a lovely personal achievement.
In 2014 and 2015, I was invited to photograph the Ennis Tidy Towns Local Awards. These events celebrated the achievements and contributions of people in the local community.
There were several awards presented on each evening, including a photography award. I was delighted to win the photography award for an image I entered featuring my Granny and Aunt.
It was particularly special to have a photograph of two people close to me recognised at a local event. Photography has always been about capturing meaningful moments for me, so winning this award was a lovely personal achievement.
View my award-winning Tidy Towns photograph here.
Looking Back on My Time With Ennis Tidy Towns
I was lucky enough to photograph and experience plenty of other events during my time working with Ennis Tidy Towns, but these are the projects that stand out most in my memory.
Being involved with the team gave me opportunities to develop my photography skills, build my confidence, and experience events from a completely different perspective. It also allowed me to see just how much dedication goes into creating a cleaner, more welcoming, and more vibrant local community.
I'm incredibly grateful to Ennis Tidy Towns, and especially to Áine, the chairperson at the time, for inviting me to be part of the team.
Looking back, it was a fantastic experience that helped me grow both personally and creatively. I'm proud to have played a small part in documenting these community events and celebrating the people who make Ennis such a special place.
Thank you, Ennis Tidy Towns, for the memories, the opportunities, and the experience!
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