This week should be a time of celebration for the people of Moynalty, Co Meath. Last weekend saw 40,000 people attend their Threshing Festival, which had - as I was reliably informed by a local - 'more steam yokes than ever before and Nathan Carter.'
However instead of waxing lyrical about the wonders of steam, the front page of the Meath Chronicle tells the solemn tale of what can happen when winning the Tidy Towns competition goes to your head.
As anyone who has ever passed through Moynalty can attest, they love a good Tidy Town competition. In fact they'd sicken your arse with Tidy Towns. You'd nearly be tempted to get out and start throwing Choc Ice wrappers around the place just to annoy them. So, it comes as no surprise that they were very proud of winning the competition in 2013. However...
Some people are not so happy with the celebratory statue that has been erected in the aftermath. The Chronicle reports that the Meath County Council have ordered the sculpture be taken down, citing that the Tidy Towns Committee never actually got any planning permission to put it up in the first place.
They're not the only people upset with it, as many local residents have been giving out about its modernness takes takes away from the aesthetic feel of the place, while others question how the committee could have the cheek to erect the feckin thing without by or leave from any of the locals.
Moynalty native John O'Brien told the Chronicle that there was already to many object in the vicinity, such as 'a fountain, a stone seat, black signage, memorials and letter boxes.'
Sure why would you want a plaque when you've letter boxes?
It's sad to think that it was only a year ago when President Michael D Higgins visited the village and waxed lyrical about the monument:
The commemorative plaque which will be unveiled later on will remain as a testament to what your community can, and has achieved, when you come together and work towards a common goal.
Fast forward a year and where are we? A village torn apart. A village that's clean on the face of the it but unhappy on the inside. Where is the love Moynalty?
*Shakes head and walks away in disappointment.*
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