The Irish Business Against Litter results for 2016 were announced.
Kilkenny City has been a three times in a row winner in the past and again in 2016 has achieved excellence with the top level of ” cleaner than European norms”.
Kilkenny County Hall with new sustainable low energy lighting scheme.
Kilkenny’s position as Ireland’s tidiest town has been further confirmed in the 2016 IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) survey which has been just released. Kilkenny has achieved No1 in the latest survey with Enniscorthy and Kildare receiving joint second.
The result reflects the hard work being undertaken by all our our Community in Keeping Kilkenny Beautiful.
Kilkenny: 1st out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Yet another success for Kilkenny with nine out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. What sets Kilkenny and other very high scoring towns apart is not just the lack of litter but the care and attention in the presentation of the environment. Kilkenny even has an example of a vacant building on Tholand Street which, although vacant, was still carefully presented. Other examples of very good sites were Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior), Riverbank and Market Cross Shopping Centre.
Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an excellent site. Abundant flowering at the bottom of the steps and wheelchair ramp are a lovely feature. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good order and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.
Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of the station was pristine. The seating, bins, plants and hanging baskets etc. were all in excellent order. The walls were adorned with plenty of sepia photographs, a nice touch to the station interior.
John Street: Grade A. This shopping street made the top litter grade, but only just. The general presentation was good with attractive paving, hanging baskets and shop fronts.
St. John’s Junior School: Grade A. A neat and clean environment which was well presented and maintained. No major litter issues to report.
River Bank: Grade A. This was a lovely setting which has been very carefully maintained. The lawns running down to the riverbank were immaculately cut and abundant flower boxes lined some stretches of the river. The whole area surveyed was spotless throughout.
Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This is a town centre shopping centre – between High Street and James’s Street. Like so many other features in Kilkenny it has been very attractively laid out with paving, seating, plants etc. all contributing to the overall appearance. It was free of litter throughout.
Vacant Building beside Tholand: Grade A. The street level of this building has been covered in newspapers. While unoccupied, it was neat and clean and located beside some more wonderful flower boxes and hanging baskets which added a nice splash of colour.
Bottle Bank: Grade B. (beside ESB substation / box) On first impression all appeared in good order at this small bottle bank facility. The bins themselves were generally clean and the front was mostly clear of litter. However, the area to the rear of the bins had a definite litter presence – cans, fast-food wrappers and glass bottles were the most prevalent types of litter found.
N77 Durrow Approach Road: Grade A. This was an excellent route in and out of Kilkenny. The road surface, signage and markings were in good order and the cycle paths and grass areas to the side of the road were well maintained – a top ranking site throughout.
N10 Carlow – Kilkenny Connecting Road: Grade A. All appeared in very good order along this route – the overall impression was of a well planned and executed route which was fresh, clean and tidy.
The Worlds End Bar on John street
Kilkenny City has again been nominated as finalist and ranked third in Ireland in the 2015 IBAL Awards. Congratulations also to Longford, Dungarvan, Dun Laoghaire and Drogheda our co-finalists. We also congratulate Longford on achieving the overall award for 2015.
Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee wish to acknowledge all of the work which has been completed over the last year by Voluntary Groups and clubs, Residents Associations, Businesses supported by their Associations and Kilkenny County Council in relation to their help in achieving this excellent result for Kilkenny City.
This excellent result follows an unprecedented 3 overall wins by Kilkenny city in the annual survey for the years 2012 – 2014.
Canal Walk, Kilkenny
Under is the adjudicators report:
Kilkenny: ?? out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
The Kilkenny sites were excellent. Some towns manage to have the town centre sites in good order but are let down by approach roads – not so with Kilkenny. It is clear that it is a very well respected and cared for environment, particularly those areas associated with Kilkenny Castle.
Approach from Dublin: Grade A. All was in excellent condition along this road and no litter was reported.
Riverwalk by Kilkenny Castle: Grade A. A wonderfully laid out and cared for environment – it was in excellent condition and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.
High Street: Grade A. There were many ‘olde’ style shop fronts along this well presented shopping street – paving and planter boxes were in very good condition. It was spotless.
St. Kieran’s College: Grade A. The area directly outside the entrance was clear of litter and all appeared in good order in the grounds within.
Kilkenny Castle – Outside the grounds: Grade A. The Parade and surrounding area were superb. The overall presentation was excellent and it is clearly very well maintained.
Kilkenny Castle – Grounds: Grade A. Extensive grounds surround the Castle and they were in very good condition. There was a complete absence of litter in the area surveyed.
Recycle Facility: Grade B. A mix of bottle and clothing recycling – a moderately littered site – at the base of the recycle bins.
SuperValu Car Park: Grade A. All was in good order at this car park and the supermarket entrance was spotless.
Rose Inn Street: Grade A. Another excellent town centre site – well presented and freshly maintained with an absence of litter.
Kilkenny Train Station: Grade A. The train station was in good order and very well served by litter bins. There didn’t appear to be any litter.
Kilkenny – Clonmel Link Road: Grade A. This was an excellent route. It passes through two local authorities and there was no major difference between the two in terms of litter.
High street Kilkenny
Kilkenny Railway station
Kilkenny City is again recognised as “Cleaner than European Norms” in the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) litter survey which was released at the end of August. This was the first judging in the 2015 competition which has recognised the high standards now being achieved in Ireland with 16 towns and cities achieving the “Cleaner than European Norms” standard. A second judging in this competition takes place later in 2015 and the national winner for 2015 will then be announced.
This fantastic result for Kilkenny City follows our unprecedented 3 times in a row win of this competition in 2012, 2013, 2014. The Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee wishes to once again thank all in Kilkenny city who have worked really hard this year to keep our City Beautiful.
Parliament street, Kilkenny
Report received:
Kilkenny: Joint 6th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Great care continues to be taken with the presentation and maintenance of Kilkenny. Many of the top ranking sites were in exceptionally good order e.g. High Street, Rose Inn street, Kilkenny Castle Entrance and Kilkenny Castle Grounds – a very welcoming environment for any visiting tourists.
Waterford Approach Road: Grade A. This was a remarkably clean and well presented route leading into Kilkenny. The overall impression was a very fresh one.
High Street: Grade A. There was a complete absence of litter along this shopping street. Many of the buildings were brightly / freshly painted and there were some nice ‘olde’ style shop fronts. The paving was in very good order with attractive pattern on same and flower boxes added a splash of colour.
Rose Inn Street: Grade A. This smaller shopping street had a more independent feel to it with less of the high street names. Well presented and maintained shop fronts and paving all created a very positive impression – it was spotless throughout.
Recycle Facility: Grade B. This ‘Bring Centre’ is located on the southern side of Kilkenny. It is a small facility with a mix of bottle and clothing recycle bins. A few people have been careless with filled plastic bags which have been simply left beside the bins.
St. John of God School: Grade A. All appeared in good order at this school – despite some renovations taking place.
Vocational School: Grade B. This school just missed getting the top litter grade – with a little extra care and attention this could easily be achieved.
Kilkenny Castle – Front Entrance and Environs: Grade A. This was an excellent site. The brick work / paving were spotless and very fresh in appearance. The whole area is very welcoming for any visitors.
Kilkenny Castle – Grounds: Grade A. The extensive grounds of Kilkenny Castle were in very good order. Not only was it spotless but it was also well sign-posted and the lawns / trees etc were very well kept.
Carlow Approach Road: Grade B. On leaving Kilkenny this route was clean but further out along this road there was a noticeable litter presence – not only was there food related litter but there was also some white plastic wrapping tangled in the trees / shrubbery.
Kilkenny – Clonmel Link Road: Grade A. The overall impression created along this route was a very positive one. It passes through two local authorities and there was no noticeable difference between the two.
Kilkenny City is three in a row overall IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) winner. The KKB congratulates all who have worked together in our City to achieve this top award for a record third time.
IBAL has again found that Kilkenny City has reached the highest standards in the country in their recent survey of 40 towns and cities through out Ireland.
Kilkenny City received top marks in the first inspection of 2014. Following the second inspection Kilkenny was short-listed with Cavan, Longford and Tramore for the overall 2014 award. The Judges report is set out under.
Design centre
On the river Nore
Loughboy Park
Kilkenny: in top four out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.
Another clean sweep for Kilkenny – one noticeable feature in Kilkenny was the general presentation of the main shopping streets – it had many independent shops / cafes rather than the usual sameness that so often pervades other towns. The sites weren’t just clear of litter but very attractively presented. As well as the shopping / streets other good sites included the River Bank and Kilkenny Railway Station – it was in pristine condition, both interior and exterior.
N10 Waterford Approach Road: Grade A. The overall presentation of this road excellent. Road surface / markings / signage were in good order and walking / cycling paths were all very impressive.
Patrick Street: Grade A. There were lovely old buildings along this city centre street, some brightly painted, others less so. The overall impression created along this street was a positive one.
River Bank: Grade A. The river bank and immediate environs were in very good condition. The grass was neatly cut, black railings were very fresh and the life-bets, path and ornamental trees were in good order – a top ranking site throughout.
John’s Quay: Grade A. This street is characterised by some very fine old buildings, including Carmegie Library building and some clubs. It is particularly well presented with shrubbery, trees, paving, grass etc. in excellent condition – there was a complete absence of litter.
John Street: Grade A. The individual shops were nicely presented and many had attractive signage. There was lovely brick paving along the footpath. The overall impression created here was a very positive one.
Rose Inn Street: Grade A. A busy street for both pedestrians and traffic – despite high levels of both it was clear of litter. Paving, road surface / markings, bollards etc. were all in very good order.
Kilkenny Railway Station – Interior: Grade A. A very clean and fresh looking station interior. All aspects of the area surveyed were not just clear of litter but in very good condition e.g. seating, flooring, bins etc. – excellent throughout.
Kilkenny Railway Station – Exterior: Grade A. The exterior of Kilkenny station was also excellent. The built environment was in very good order but the station staff are clearly very attentive.
Carlow Approach Road: Grade A. This site got the top litter grade, but only just. Along this road stands a McDonald’s and despite plentiful supply of bins at this site they were not always being used. The road proper was in good order.
N76-66 Link Road – Clonmel – Portlaoise: Grade A. All seemed in good order along this old established route. It was generally a well tended site clear of litter.
Congratulations to Irish Rail for the high standard of our City Railway Station. The assessors noted the following in their recent report:
Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an excellent site – not only was there a complete absence of litter but the overall presentation was very fresh e.g. railings, steps, entrance, signage and visitor information, and planter boxes.
Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of the station had some interesting historical notices and photographs, almost museum / gallery like – a lovely feature. Bins, seating, planting, signage and flooring were all in excellent condition – a real credit to the station staff.
Members of KKB celebrate with Kilkenny railway station Staff. Kilkenny Ibal No.1 in Ireland.
Kilkenny has achieved a No.1 result again in the latest Ibal survey .
This result reflects the hard work put in by the City Authorities and all our Voluntary groups over the last number of months. The assessors noted;
“Kilkenny has cemented its position as Ireland’s cleanest city – all sites surveyed got the top litter grade. What sets Kilkenny and other continuously high ranking towns apart is not just the lack of litter but the efforts put into the presentation of the environment e.g. High Street had beautiful new paving and a couple of years ago the approach to Kilkenny Castle was redesigned. The surveyor noted that Kilkenny Train Station (Interior) was almost museum like with historical photographs / notices – a lovely feature.”
Kilkenny courthouse on Parliament street
Kilkenny is recipient the overall National IBAL award for a second time. Kilkenny achieved top marks in the latest IBAL survey released on the 6th January 2014.
The City received Grade A for all of the judged areas. The KKB congratulates the City Authorities, Voluntary Groups, Businesses, Resident Associations and all who have worked together over the last year.
Regular KKB clean ups have already commenced and if you wish to take part why not contact us at mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com to register your interest. Tree planting and City tree survey are being undertaken on the 18th January and the our Tidy Towns Estates initiative is also being launched.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.
Courthouse, Parliament street
The latest Ibal anti-litter survey places Kilkenny as the tidiest City in Ireland with a “Cleaner than European Norms” rating. Kilkenny came 2nd in Ireland in the overall rankings behind Cavan town.
“Congratulations to the citizens and local authority of Kilkenny – an excellent result – what is noticeable about Kilkenny and other very high ranking towns / cities is the great care that is taken in the overall presentation of the environment and it is not just about litter.
Kilkenny City receives the overall national Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) award for 2012. We also congratulate Killarney and Cavan for their achievement in reaching the final shortlist.
View of River Nore and John’s Bridge from Kilkenny Castle Rose Garden. Copyright: Keep Kilkenny Beautiful