Category Archives: Anti litter

Kilkenny City Clean to European Norms – IBAL for 2025

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The final IBAL survey for 2025 was announced on the 5th January 2026. Kilkenny City  achieved Clean to European norms. KKB wish to thank all our volunteers, local community groups, resident associations  and Kilkenny CoCo for all of their work  in Keeping Kilkenny Beautiful over the last year. Congratulations are due to  Dun Laoghaire for achieving the top position  in 2025.

KKB would agree with   IBAL that  single use Coffee cups are a serious litter issue. Government intervention  is required similar to the plastic bag or the  cans and plastic bottle scheme.

 

Above:  View of castle park which received  an A rating.

we set out under  the  2025 report for our city.

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Survey 2, 2025
Kilkenny: 17th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Clean to European Norms.
A good result for Kilkenny with no heavily littered sites and some sites just missing the top litter grade. The latter included High Street, the residential area of Beechlawn and the Bring Facility,New Park Shopping Centre. The wonderful grounds of Kilkenny Castle Park were sensitively presented and maintained – excellent with regards to litter. The Watershed Leisure Centre had some lovely features – picnic tables, welcoming planting at the entrance etc.

The Watershed Leisure Centre: Grade A. There was an abundance of colour in the planter boxes at the building entrance – this created a warm and welcoming impression. All elements of this facility appeared in good order e.g. paving, bicycle parking, wooden picnic tables etc. There was a large wheely bin specifically for bottles / cans. The whole area was excellent with regards to litter.
Dublin Road: Grade B+. This busy route just missed the top litter grade. Road surface / markings / signage were in good order, but there were too many food related items e.g. sweet papers, fast-food wrappers and plastic bags, for the top litter grade. Perhaps the installation of a litter bin at the bus stop might help?
Kilkenny Castle Park: Grade A. This wonderful expanse of parkland was so deserving of the top litter grade. Not only was it very good with regards to litter, but it has also been sensitively presented and maintained with excellent visitor information (including colourful ‘Ecology of an Oak Tree) and plenty of references to Biodiversity. Seating, signage, litter bins etc. were all in very good condition.
New Park Shopping Centre: Grade A. A freshly presented shopping centre and car park environment – there was a virtual absence of litter throughout.
High Street: Grade B+. Paving, litter bins, bollards, wooden seating and planter boxes were freshly presented, creating a positive impression along this busy shopping street. Much of the area was good with regards to litter but there were too many cigarette butts, coffee cups, fast-food wrappers and sweet papers near Market Yard for the top litter grade. With a little extra effort, this could be achieved.
Deposit Return Scheme, SuperValu: Grade A. This small ‘in-store’ facility was spotless – well done to all concerned.
Bring Facility, New Park Shopping Centre: Grade B+. This facility just missed the top litter grade – the overall impression was a good one but there were too many loose litter items at the base of clothes banks.
John’s Quay: Grade B+. The 1914-1918 Memorial was looking well and there was a wonderful series of coloruful murals along one stretch. Seating, litter bins, signage, planted areas were in good order. Maintenance was underway at time of IBAL visit. Minor litter items were primarily alcohol related, particularly close to John’s Bridge.
Market Yard Car Park: Grade B. Some lovely features in the car park environment included an abundance of planter boxes and picnic tables. Some parts presented quite well. However, the overall impression was of a moderately littered space, a wide variety of food related and cigarette butts, along with a couple of bags of rubbish.
Beechlawn: Grade B+. Not much effort is required for this residential area to get the top litter grade – it was freshly presented, large expanse of grass area and generally in very good order. Litter items were all food related.

Great activity in Kilkenny as the long summer days arrive .

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There has been great activity and many events organised by KKB, Lions Club  other voluntary groups  and resident associations   as the days get longer.  Our many volunteers are enjoying a mix of activities  which are taking place on  a regular basis (Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7pm and 9 pm )and also on regular basis on  Saturdays between 10am and 12 noon. All  locations to meet and dates are   broadcast   once the weather forecast  is known each week.

All activities are posted on our   KKB News &  KKB Biodiversity whatsapp pages for those who are registered. We also have regular news  items on our Keep Kilkenny Beautiful  Facebook page.  Whether its control of invasive  plant species,  new planting, painting and repairing, trimming, cleaning or picking it’s all helping to Keep Kilkenny Beautiful.

Why not join our team?

Great Result for Kilkenny City in the IBAL litter league 2024

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Congratulations to all  our Volunteers, voluntary groups and Kilkenny CoCo  following a great result for Kilkenny City in the IBAL litter league 2024.

We received Grade A for all the inspected sites. congratulations to Naas on receiving No.1  for 2024

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Survey 2, 2024
Kilkenny: Cleaner than European Norms. 2nd out of 40 towns / cities surveyed.

Kilkenny, a former IBAL winner, has been consistently high-ranking, and things were no different this time around. With so many top ranking sites, there are a few which deserve a special mention. Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior) is clearly a very well managed environment (all aspects were in very good condition, and it was excellent with regards to litter), Market Cross Shopping Centre and Parliament Street – the latter is a very attractively presented streetscape with some lovely features e.g. paving, seating, hanging baskets and some ‘olde’ style shop fronts.
Bring Centre, St. Canice’s Car Park: Grade A. There was a virtual absence of litter at this well presented and maintained facility. The bin units were flush with the walls to the rear, leaving little room for the ‘stuffing’ of items. Signage associated with the use of same was in good order.

Friar’s Bridge: Grade A. There was a complete absence of litter at this city centre residential environment – central garden area is a lovely feature. Railings and life-belt at river feature were in good condition.
R712 Approach Road / Castlecomer: Grade A. Overall impression cared along this route was a very good one, creating a very positive first impression of Kilkenny. Road surface, markings and signage were well presented and the autumnal trees lining the central median looked very well.
Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. Despite plenty of cars parked at the stage / travelling passengers, the exterior of Kilkenny Train Station was very much deserving of the top litter grade. It was excellent with regards to litter and overall presentation.
Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. Seating, signage, litter bins were freshly presently within the station building. The station office and café were closed. There was a complete absence of litter throughout.
Parliament Street: Grade A. A long stretch of main shopping street which has been attractively laid out, with some lovely features e.g. wooden seating, hanging baskets, paving and some ‘olde’ style shop fronts. The whole street presents very well and was very much deserving of the top litter grade.
Derelict Premises beside Rothe House: Grade A. This site has been noted in previous surveys and while it wasn’t littered it presents poorly e.g. peeling paint / dangling wiring. The overall presentation is a far cry from its neighbour, Rothe House and the Court House across the road.
Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This, relatively new, shopping centre, was characterised by substantial planter boxes, wooden seating and attractive paving in the outdoor realm. All aspects were freshly presented – there were no visible litter issues throughout.
R700 Castle Approach Road: Grade A. The castle walls lined one side of this route into Kilkenny. There was one isolated area of litter on a long stretch of route. The remainder was immaculate.
N77 Durrow Approach Road: Grade A. Lush grass lined either side of this stretch of road. Grass verges were neatly cut. Very minor visible litter along this route.

Wonderful new mural at Francis McManus Sq

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Francis Mc Manus sq., lane way link to car park.  The mural was completed in cooperation with local residents, Ossory Youth and Kilkenny CoCo.  We also  produced a 2 minute video to the work being undertaken and a commentary  click here 

The detailed design  work started with   design workshops and the erection of posters !

Some concept pieces  put together at the mural workshop included geometric shapes with repeating patterns

Getting the design right  at the lane

Kilkenny City No4 in latest 2024 IBAL survey

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KKB congratulates all of our   voluntary groups, businesses  and Kilkenny CoCo  and all those who have  assisted in achieving our  current  consistent high  standard in the IBAL  survey!

Kilkenny: 4th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Kilkenny has scored very well, as we have come to expect from the former IBAL multiple-winner. It has consistently been a high-ranking town for many years. With so many top-ranking sites, some are worth mentioning. Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior) was an excellent environment and clearly one where the station staff are clearly very proud of their station. Parliament Street was an exceptionally freshly presented shopping street, with attractive paving and all elements in very good order. The Bring Facility at St Canice’s has often been littered in previous surveys – not so, this time around.

Fantastic Result for Kilkenny City Tidy towns 2023

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Congratulations to all our volunteers, community groups, businesses and Kilkenny county council on  the receipt of a fantastic result for Kilkenny city in the 2023 national tidy towns competition .

Kilkenny is the  2023 recipient of the County award, a gold medal and the South East regional award.

To see the detailed  adjudicators  report  2023 with  link on separate page to  tidy towns site press link Kilkenny City report 2023

Kilkenny received 274 point a rise of 12 points on our 2022 results. Congratulations to Ballincollig  who pipped Kilkenny by one point to win the national tidiest large urban centre 2023 and to Abbeyleix  the 2023 overall winner 2023,

A great cheer from  some of our 20k pollinator  planting challenge  &  environs saturday clean up   work groups!

IBAL success for Kilkenny – Cleaner than European Norms 2023

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A great result for Kilkenny city achieved  in the Summer 2023 IBAL survey released 26th June 2023. Kilkenny was ranked  3rd in Ireland. congratulation to Maynooth   for a 1st in this round.

This result reflects all the hard work undertaken by all our volunteers, community groups &  organisations and  Kilkenny CoCo.

Our city report is set out under.

Kilkenny:  3rd out of 40 towns / cities surveyed.  Cleaner than European Norms

A very strong performance from Kilkenny, as we have come to expect from this tourist destination of historical note.  All of the approach roads got the top litter grade, setting the tone for the majority of the remaining sites surveyed.  Market Cross Shopping Centre was absolutely spotless, not even a cigarette butt to be seen.  The grounds of Kilkenny Castle Parklands were wonderful – a complete absence of litter throughout.  The approach to Kilkenny Castle, via The Parade was an exceptionally freshly presented and maintained environment with all aspects in excellent order. 

 

 

 Thurles Approach Road:  Grade A. (Area surveyed from ‘Welcome to Kilkenny’ signage just after Texaco filling station) A very good first impression of Kilkenny.  Minimal litter items observed.  Road surface closer to the town was new and fresh looking.

 

N10 Approach Road:  Grade A.  (up to old Dublin Road Roundabout form Harbour Road Roundabout) A freshly presented and maintained main route from the motorway.  Apart from some plastic bags, it was very good with regard to litter.

 

Kilkenny Ring Road:  Grade A.  (including Area by IMC Cinema) Freshly presented road surface / markings / signage.  All appeared in very good order; nice grass area on the right, opposite the cinema – there were no visible litter issues.

 

Mother of Fair Love School:  Grade A.  From the outside of the school, all aspects appeared in good order.  Nice area of tulips / daffodils within the school grounds and colourful planter box at the school gate.  To the side of the building there was more planting of other seeds.  It was very much deserving of the top litter grade.

 

Bring Centre at St. Canice’s:  Grade B.  Very clear and extensive signage relating to the use of this tiny facility.  Just a few bottle / can units and one clothing unit; Packaging had been very deliberately discarded in the corner location. There was also broken glass also at the base of the bins.  With a little extra care this could easily be a Grade A site.

 

Market Cross Shopping Centre:  Grade A.  The cleanest shopping centre this surveyor has ever seen!  There wasn’t even a cigarette butt to be seen.  Some of the bins provided the opportunity to separate waste into recycling.  Lovely, large planter boxes throughout, along with attractive planting underfoot at ground level.  Lovely wooden seating, some with built in planter boxes.  Complete absence of litter throughout.  Clearly a careful eye is kept on closed down premises, (of which there were plenty), as there was no litter associated with any of them.

 

High Street:  Grade A.  An exceptionally clean main shopping street with many lovely features throughout e.g., paving, seating, silver bollards, street maps, planting etc.  It was so very much deserving of the top litter grade.  There were many closed down premises, with no litter associated with them.

 

Kilkenny Castle Parkland:  Grade A.  If Grade A+ was awarded, this site would certainly be deserving of same.  A fantastic amenity which was being enjoyed by many on a sunny day towards the end of Easter holidays.  It is an extensive site, replete with outdoor café / picnic tables / playground / pond and several KM signed walking / running pathways.  It was spotless throughout, extraordinarily clean for such a vast site – a credit to the users and those responsible for the maintenance of same.  Some ‘Bees at Work’ signage in one corner site.

 

River Walk:  Grade B+.  There was no litter along the Horseleap side of the river. Some minor food and cigarette / vaping related items along the side of the river by the library. Lifebelts, paving, colourful planting etc were all in good order.   Picnic table area was clear of litter.

 

The Parade:  Grade A.  This wide expanse of road is exceptionally well served by litter bins.

Picnic tables with built in chess / drafts board; bicycle parking / Bolt Ebike scheme / Public Toilets etc. – all aspects were in excellent condition.  Excellent visitor information signage – interactive as well as various maps etc.  The whole area was very good with regard to litter.

 

 

KKB Earth Day 2023 Celebration

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All are welcome to come along and support Keep Kilkenny Beautiful’s celebration of Earth Day! McDonnagh Junction, Kilkenny 

There will be a range of  interesting presentations, the launch of the Kilkenny Climate Hero’s Challenge, entertainment for kids, colouring, Mr Picker Pal (ask the young people, they know who he is) and free giveaways of books, bulbs and keep cups.

Young ecologists who impress might be lucky enough to get a converted magnifying glass for hunting mini beasts! All welcome to come and celebrate.

 

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Speakers schedule for Earth Day
12:00    TD Malcom Noonan:-  launch of Kilkenny Climate Hero Challenge
12:10    Nicky Brennan:- Kilkenny Age Friendly Tips from the older generation
12:20    Cllr David FitzGerald Mayor of Kilkenny City:-                                                      The Path to being first Carbon Neutral City
12:30    Break
12:40    Patrick Jackson – Picker Pals
12:50    Paddy Phelan South East Energy Agency Grants & Supports Economy
13:00    John Carley South East Energy Agency Circular
13:10  Liam O’Brien Bagenalstown SEC Journey to Energy Master Plan
13:20    Seamus Nugent Kilkenny Sport Partnership Environment & Mental Health
13:30    Fergus Horgan KLP Food Waste to Compost
13:40    Break
13:50    Pat Boyd Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Special Project Officer –  Bio Bliz
14:00   Catriona Corr Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan
14:10    Marina DeCosta Sustainable Energy Communities SEC
14:20    Break
14:30    Maria Dollard Chairperson Keep Kilkenny Beautiful – Tidy Towns and SEC’s – complementary synergy towards SDG’s
14:40   Break
14:50    Mijke Jansen Barrow Valley Hub SEC Solar Panel EV Charger KLP LEADER Project
15:00    Breda Maher KCC Climate Action F

KKB & St Patrick’s Parade 2023

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What a wonderful day for Kilkenny. What  a great parade!

Fantastic day. Despite the weather there was so much good spirits and camaraderie. So many kids along the route saying to their parents they had Picker Pals in their school.

A thank you to Picker Pals working  to raise awareness of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful  .

Thank you so much the to fantastic volunteers and their children that made the effort to come out in the bad weather and showed how tough we are and how determined to Keep Kilkenny Beautiful

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you are all amazing

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