The environment needs protection.
For the past week, a group of 27 young environmentalists from 15 different European countries – have gathered in Kilkenny to learn about grassroots movements.
The network Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) organized a seminar ‘know your grassroots’, which brought them together.
Today the group joins Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, you could too!
The first swallows of 2019 were spotting in Kilkenny on the 31st March. A sign of spring/summer. Work is also ongoing with the improvement of the Breagagh river, including cleaning of the banks and any debris that has gone into the river ready for the 2019 nesting season. work to remove all balsam has also been undertaken and this review will continue again later in the spring. 
A large crowd attended a very interesting presentation by Zoe Devlin titled ” Wildflowers of Ireland – a personal record” which recently took place in Kilkenny. The event was coordinated by Bird watch Ireland Kilkenny branch. Zoe reviewed Ireland’s rare flowers and also some of the not so rare flowers including flowers growing in Kilkenny. Invasive species were also reviewed.
The importance of pollinator species was discussed. The event ties in to the theme of improving habitat for our bees in Kilkenny. The importance of many plants to specific insects and having adequate food for birds was noted.
St Patrick’s Day had a Kilkenny Bee theme
City Hall
Limburg Orange visit Kilkenny, and greeted by our Mayor
“Talk of the town #2 – a vibrant vision; a green and inclusive Kilkenny 2030”
A very informative talk and debate in relation the environment, the way forward in Kilkenny and our future took place recently in the Pembroke hotel. The evening was coordinated by Malcolm Noonan, chaired by Eamon Ryan TD and with guest speakers Senator Grace O’Sullivan and Etaoin Holahan who provide inspiration in relation to the importance of everyone working together to improve our environment for our families and our children.
The well attended event was really enjoyable. Current environment issues were debated in relation to our city and county and potential ways forward we reviewed. We went away invigorated and with additional energy in relation to our aim of Keeping Kilkenny Beautiful into the future.
Kells Road., Rose Hill, Coote’s Lane & River Breagagh clean up took place on Saturday 2nd March). Assembly was at Rose Lawn adjacent to Cootes Lane. the spring clean also included Cootes lane and the adjacent river Breagagh. For information in relation to ongoing environmental actions please ring Margaret Walsh Secretary KKB at 086-1075532 [email protected] web: www.keepkilkennybeautiful.com . for information in relation to Rose Hill residents association please contact Pat Kenny – Rosehill Chairman at 0873690864
Newpark Marsh hosted the world wet lands day visit on 2 February. Located close to the centre of Kilkenny city Newpark is a wonderful Marsh environment with a large amount of wildlife.On the visit organised by Birdwatch Ireland Kilkenny Branch, with support from the Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council. A great lmorning was enjoyed. It was quite cold and ice was in place across much of the wetland. KKB has been working many years with local stakeholders and Kilkenny county council to maintain Newpark Marsh. .Newpark Marsh was awarded the top award in the ESB/CVI Community Environmental awards 2001 and the Marsh was also a national winner for Wildlife in the Tidy Towns Competition 2002. Since then there have been many improvements including additional signage, seating and a wonderful walk around the Marsh. 
KKB are working with many cafes through out Kilkenny city to reduce the amount of waste from single-use cups. Congratulations to the many cafes who have already agreed to provide reusable cups and also who give a discount to customers who present a reusable cup.
When you’re in a cafe to get a takeaway coffee why not ask for a reusable cup and a discount. This also helps to reduce waste!
What’s more, the coffee tastes a lot better!
Many Kilkenny cafes are now providing an alternative to the one use cup.
KKB reusable cup in use…. enjoy!
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful are very pleased with the Irish Business against Litter (Ibal) overall 2018 result which gives Kilkenny city a position of 9th in the country and the status of “Cleaner than European norms ”. Congratulations also to Fermoy for achieving the No.1 position for 2018.
Congratulations to all who have assisted in this excellent result. It reflects the tremendous work being undertaken on an ongoing basis by many voluntary groups, organisations, businesses and Kilkenny County Council throughout our city over the last year.
Kilkenny railway station
An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Round 2, 2018
Kilkenny: Overall 2018 result: 9th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Another excellent result for Kilkenny with 80% of sites getting the top litter grade. Market Cross Shopping Centre was a particularly well presented and clean site – large planter boxes certainly enhance the overall environment. Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior) was excellent – clearly it is a very well attended site; the streetscape along High Street was excellent and the grounds of Kilkenny Castle were pristine. The Recycle Bank at St. Canice’s presented well on first impression but further inspection revealed a definite litter presence.
L2627 Approach from Clara: Grade A. The overall presentation of this road was a very good one. Pathway was in good order and newly trimmed grass verges skirted the roundabout leading to the town.
Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an impeccable site. The whole environment was very well maintained with footpath, ramp, signage, flowering pots, bins etc. in very good condition.
Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of Kilkenny Train Station was a very fresh environment. Seating, bins, notices boards, plant boxes, hanging baskets and visitor information were in good order.
Series of empty / derelict buildings on Watergate: Grade B. (Numbers 11, 13 & 15). The presentation of this series of buildings was poor with painting peeling and overall impression a negative one. This will only deteriorate further if not addressed.
Recycle Bank by St. Canice’s: Grade B. On first impression the presentation of this recycle facility was a good one with bins and signage relating to the usage of same in good condition. It was, however, let down by a variety of litter items to the rear of the recycle units, between the bushes and bins.
Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This semi-covered shopping centre was very fresh with plenty of substantial planter boxes throughout. Seating, paving, lamps etc. all presented very well and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.
High Street: Grade A. The High Street in Kilkenny has an excellent streetscape. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good condition. The road surface has attractive paving, creating a very fresh impression. The paving stones on the footpath looked very well. The street was further enhanced by wooden seating.
Grounds of Kilkenny Castle: Grade A. The grounds of Kilkenny Castle were in excellent order and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.
Loughboy Approach Road: Grade A. This road presented well with road surface, cycle path, signage and markings in good order. There was no obvious litter.
M9 / M10 Connecting Road to Carlow: Grade A. An excellent route. The edging of the roads was clear cut, road surfaces were in very good condition and there didn’t appear to be any visible litter.
Kilkenny castle from Lacken viewing point with river Nore under.