Ireland has this great competition called the “Tidy Towns” competition. Visitors know that if a town is listed as a current or past “Tidy Town” winner there is a good possibility that they will enjoy a visit or a pass through that town. Adare is on Ireland’s list of tidy towns. I could look up the parameters of making it on this list. But, I can tell you right now that it is because of historical buildings, lots of flowers, little traffic, and brightly painted exteriors among other things.
This is a little tip when planning your Ireland trip. Focus on tidy towns to eat in, visit, or stay in. Click here for a list of the current and past winners. For now enjoy some photos of past Tidy Town winner, Adare in County Limerick.
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
Charming. A tour of Tidy Towns would be a lovey vacation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It could definitely be a fun theme to plan your trip around.
LikeLike
Yes, it’s a great competition, especially in terms of the way it mobilises local communities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In UK we have something called ‘Britain in Bloom’ which is a similar sort of thing. Everywhere is a dump but on the day the judges arrive there is a frenzy of cleaning up. After they have gone it reverts to being a dump!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really!? That’s terrible. It’s not the case in Ireland or at least as far as I could tell. I’m no officianado as I didn’t visit them all. But even some that hadn’t been a “tidy town” winner in more than 20 years were still cute as a button.
LikeLike
I am probably just being sceptical!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s entirely possibly. We just don’t want it to be the case!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scruffiest place that I have ever been in Europe just has to be Sicily!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really!? I have never been there.
LikeLike
I LOVED Adare! It’s such a quaint little town!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a nice little stop on our journey. A bit touristy but cute and easy to park and walk around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I took more photos of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we went, there was a cool street performer dressed in 40s garb, painted silver, and playing Frank Sinatra music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite lovely and a great tip. I laughed when I saw the sign that “Guinness is good for you.” I remember a sign in Africa once that said “Guinness gives you power.” I’ve consumed enough in my life to test both propositions. So far the jury is still out. Better try some more. 🙂 –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep trying!
LikeLike
Did you see the photo I had in another post that said Giunness for babies!?
LikeLike
Very colourful! I plan to visit Ireland in 2017 and you’ve just made me put Adare on my ‘to visit’ list.
LikeLike
I am really glad I could inspire you to visit there. It is a very small town with not very many attractions. But it’s a very lovely place to stop between one place and another if you know what I mean. I would encourage you to look at the category on my blog of Ireland and northern Ireland. I have quite a few posts that might help you decide which portions to visit and which portions not to visit on your trip. I am very excited for you.I look forward to your blog posts after your trip. Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks for the comments.
LikeLike
Oh gosh, I so had forgotten about this, haha! Adare, gorgeous, thx for the lovely images!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the coloured buildings and beautiful flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Cheerful on a cold winters day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love tidy towns. Any way we can import the concept in Mexico?
No, right?
😦
I thought about you in December, in Bogotá, a neighbourhood called Usaquén, there was a bar with a tucan. Will post it one of these days.
Take care.
B.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you are thinking of me! I have often thought that the U.S. could benefit from something like tidy towns as well. Maybe we can start one up!
LikeLike
Not only tidy, the town looks pretty and colorful too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Hope you are settling in well to your new city.
LikeLike
This is a lovely little town !
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fairy land on Earth! Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very charming. I love colorful towns!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never seen it before there
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoyed it!
LikeLike
Oh the colours!! So bright and optimistic. I think I would walk around smiling the whole time, just because of the scenery. Now I wonder how many Tidy Towns have been movie settings, because there is nothing like a fabulous backdrop to steal a scene. That is a great tip for Ireland travel: visit the Tidy Towns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too. If not for the trip as an idea for where to stay. I’m glad you are enjoying them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the bright colours of many Irish towns!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Always makes me want to paint something bright in my own home.
LikeLike
One of my neighbours in Vancouver painted her house bright pink with purple trim and the neighbourhood was outraged at the ‘Barbie house’. I’m surprised that everyone in these Irish towns all agreed on the vibrant colours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think when it rains all the time and is cloudy a lot they want the color. The colors are generally very pleasing. 🙂
LikeLike