FIFTEEN TOWNS ACROSS the country will be assessed over the rest of the summer to find out where Ireland’s top tourism town is.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring today announced the 15-town shortlist for the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Town Awards.

The 15 towns will now be subject over the next few weeks to a series of unannounced inspections from a team of independent ‘secret shoppers’ who will visit each location.

Last year saw Westport and Kinsale take the the large and small town prizes.

Here is the shortlist in full:

• Kilkenny

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• Lismore, Waterford
• Killarney, Kerry

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• Clonakilty, Cork
• Belmullet, Mayo
• Ardmore, Waterford

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• Tralee, Kerry
• Adare, Limerick
• Sneem, Kerry
• Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim

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• Kenmare, Kerry
• Portmagee, Kerry
• Youghal, Cork
• Mountsannon, Clare
• Cobh, Cork

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Paddy Mathews from Fáilte Ireland says that the four-year-old awards are “all about recognising local businesses and communities who work well together”.

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