Mayo Tidy Towns group announces election of its youngest ever Chairperson
Westport Tidy Towns has announced the election of its youngest ever Chairperson, with 24-year-old Patrick Ryder taking on the role for 2026.
Mr Ryder was formally appointed on Tuesday, February 17, succeeding outgoing Chairperson Eithne Larkin.
He previously served as Vice Chairperson in 2025, a year in which his commitment to the group was recognised at the SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards, in the ‘Young Persons in Tidy Towns’ category.
His election has set a record for the organisation.
The previous title-holder of youngest Chairperson was held by local councillor Peter Flynn, who was 30 years-of-age when he undertook the role in 1998.
The Vice Chairperson for 2026 is Paul Moody, who will be on hand to help Mr Ryder carry out his responsibilities over the year.
Reacting to his election, Mr Ryder said that “never in a million years” would he have expected to become Chairperson at just 24 years old.
Describing his initial reaction to the appointment, he said: “It felt daunting to say the least, but that was overcome with a sense of honour and pride to be part of such an amazing organisation.”
“I'm proud to be working alongside a group of amazing people who have so far made my transition seamless and they have stood by me over the past year as vice,” he added.
Young people are the future. I'm hopeful that seeing me as Chairperson will spark some curiosity and interest
Looking ahead to his year in the role, Mr Ryder outlined several projects that are already underway, and said he hopes to build on the group’s success, and secure some big wins at the next SuperValu Tidy Towns Annual Competition.
“We are working tirelessly on some projects that will hopefully be taking shape soon that will brighten up Westport,” he said. ”Paul has been working endlessly on this, and I'm there to offer any support he may require.”
Mr Ryder explained that ideas have been “buzzed” around at recent meetings on how to tackle cigarette butt and chewing gum litter in the town.
“Hopefully [we will] get some of these ideas off the ground to really make Westport shine,” he said.
Encouraging more young people to get involved in Tidy Towns is another key priority for the new Chairperson.
Mr Ryder said he wants to work to entice younger people into Tidy Towns to "offer a new lease of life” within the group and “ensure the future needs of Westport can be met.”
“Young people are the future. I'm hopeful that seeing me as Chairperson will spark some curiosity and interest,” he said.
Speaking about his connection to the organisation, Mr Ryder said: “Westport Tidy towns, dare I say, is equivalent to a family for me,
“They care so much not just about the cleanliness of Westport but also the people who are the beating heart of the organisation and help us with our success.”
Announcing the news on social media, Westport Tidy Towns said it was delighted to welcome Mr Ryder as Chairperson.
“This is such a proud and exciting moment for our community,” the group said. “Fresh ideas, new energy, and a passion for keeping Westport as the leading Tidy Towns Organisation [are] just some of the wonderful things Patrick brings to the role.”
“Westport has always thrived on community spirit, and this milestone shows how strong and forward-thinking our town continues to be,” they added.
Cllr Flynn also offered his congratulations, saying he was delighted to lose his long-held accolade to “someone as young, energetic and committed as Patrick.”
"He is exactly the type of person every voluntary group should be trying to attract and critically giving them the backing to take on a significant leadership role within the organisation,” he added.
Mr Ryder’s appointment follows an exceptionally successful year for the organisation.
At the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards, Westport Tidy Towns was named Overall County Winner for Mayo, while also receiving the EPA Circular Economy Award and the Large Town and Large Urban Centre Climate Action Award.
Over the past year, the group delivered several major projects, including a collaboration with Trinity College Dublin and LAWPRO on the Testing the Waters Project.
The initiative aimed to raise awareness of water quality in the Carrowbeg River while encouraging broader community engagement with climate change, biodiversity loss and river health.
Another significant achievement was the creation of a Food Forest at Father Angelus Park, developed in partnership with Food Forests Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.
The 12-month initiative, part of the EU-funded LEVERS project, transformed unused land into a thriving community food forest.
Westport was also named the third-cleanest town in Ireland in the 2025 report by Irish Business Against Litter.
With Mr Ryder bringing new energy and leadership to the role of Chairperson, Westport Tidy Towns is on track for another successful year.
This article has been funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.