Ireland's cleanest town is named in anti-litter rankings as most areas show 'landmark' decrease in littering levels

"The annual Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) survey placed the northwest county's commercial centre rock bottom in 2007, evidence of its exponential improvement over time. It replaces Naas, Co Kildare, as the holder of the coveted accolade, and finishes ahead of Leixlip, Westport and Monaghan. Deemed fifth in cleanliness above European norms was Tullamore, Co Offaly, followed by Waterford City, Killarney and Letterkenny. Galway City and Wexford made up the rest of the top 10."

"An Taisce, who conduct the surveys on behalf of IBAL, complimented the winning town for its consistently strong performance in recent years. The Quayside Shopping Centre was "absolutely spotless throughout", it said, while the bus and train stations came in for praise, as did Grattan and Castle Street. Adelaide St Car Park was much improved on past surveys. "It is an illustration of the turnabout that is possible, even in a large town, when council and community come together," said Conor Horgan of IBAL."

"The survey also crowned Ireland's cleanest city which - winning for the third time in four years - is Waterford City, followed closely by Galway City which won the award in 2024. While urban areas still dominate the lower reaches of the rankings, 10 of the 13 areas surveyed showed an improvement in cleanliness in 2025. Galvone, Co Limerick, achieved clean status for the first time, having been branded "seriously littered" in recent years."

A northwest county commercial centre rose from rock bottom in 2007 to win IBAL's cleanest town accolade, replacing Naas and finishing ahead of Leixlip, Westport and Monaghan. Tullamore ranked fifth above European norms, followed by Waterford City, Killarney, Letterkenny, Galway City and Wexford in the top 10. An Taisce praised the winning town's consistent performance, noting the Quayside Shopping Centre was "absolutely spotless throughout", bus and train stations were commended and Adelaide St Car Park improved. IBAL credited council-community collaboration for the turnaround. Waterford City was named cleanest city for the third time in four years. Ten of 13 surveyed areas improved in 2025 and Galvone achieved clean status after prior "seriously littered" classification.

Read at Irish Independent