Tag Archives: Irish Business Against Litter

Kileknny City IBAL top spot No.1 2019

Posted on by

Kilkenny received the top spot in this 1st round for 2019.

A  very big effort has been made throughout the first 6 months of 2019 to keep Kilkenny litter free and to improve our city’s presentation. There are regular KKB clean ups and improvement works which supplement the extensive work undertaken by Kilkenny Co Co , our many resident associations and local volunteers throughout Kilkenny.

 

We were thrilled that the bring bank at St Canices church car park was found by the adjudicator to be so much better following the renovation work undertaken by Kilkenny Co Co over the last few months. We have been monitoring this location on an ongoing basis as it is very heavily used and the recycle bins fill up quickly. KKB did a clean up in this area last Saturday and ongoing vigilance is required.

The Judges also found the Kells road R697, Dublin road R712 and also the N10 motorway link road in good condition, all of which are regularly checked by KKB to keep them in good condition.

Kilkenny county council must be congratulated for their work on Parliament street and the other street improvements underway currently.

During 2019 many premises in the City have redecorated their buildings. Keep Kilkenny Beautiful continue to encourage premises owners to maintain and decorate the premises.

For anyone who wishes to assist with volunteering they can contact us at mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com see our website at keepkilkennybeautiful.com or call our secretary at 086-1687553

 

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Round 1, 2019

Kilkenny: 1st out of 40 Towns / Cities Surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

Kilkenny returns to a place it has been many times – the top of the IBAL table. The entire area was pristine but some top-ranking sites deserve special mention. The Pedestrian Bridge / River Bank was a lovely riverside environment which was wonderfully presented and maintained. Parliament Street was attractively laid out and scored very well with regard to litter. Market Cross (Pedestrianised shopping mall) was very fresh in terms of presentation and litter. The design of the ‘Bring Bank’ at St. Canice’s was such that there were few opportunities for ‘stuffing’ items between, beneath and behind the recycle units.

R712 Approach Road: Grade A. A well presented route, creating a positive first impression of Kilkenny. Road surface, signage and markings were in good order and it scored well with regard to litter.

Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. The exterior of the train station presented well with flower beds and built environment in good order. It got the top litter grade, but only just. Cigarette butts were noticeable in the flower beds – this needs to be addressed to prevent further build-up. The remainder of the area was very good.

Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. All aspects of the interior of the station were in very good condition and fresh in appearance e.g. tiled flooring, seating, bins and signage. There was a complete absence of litter. The industrial ‘blue’ bin was very full / overflowing, potentially causing a litter situation.

Pedestrian Bridge / River Bank: Grade A. This riverside environment has been wonderfully presented and maintained. Grass banks, paving, bin, life-belt, etc. were in very good condition. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout the area surveyed.

Parliament Street: Grade A. As a main shopping street this was beautifully laid out with attractive paving and seating creating an opportunity for relaxing. The overall impression created along Parliament Street was a positive one with regard to presentation and litter. It is very well served by litter bins.

Vacant site – formerly Cheri Lee: Grade A. (on Parliament Street, opposite New Building Lane) This red brick mid-terrace building is no longer operating. It got the top litter grade, but only just, with a virtual absence of litter. It could easily slide to a littered status. The paint / woodwork were decaying.

‘Bring Centre’ at St. Canice’s: Grade A. The design / layout of this facility presents very well, leaving little opportunity for the ‘stuffing’ of items that so regularly happens elsewhere throughout the country. Overall, it was very much deserving of the top litter grade.

Market Cross, Shopping Mall: Grade A.The paving at this pedestrianised shopping area created an artistic effect and the area was enhanced by some large planter boxes. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good order e.g. seating, bins, planted areas, signage etc.. It was excellent with regard to litter.

R697 Approach Road: Grade A. There was a complete absence of litter along this stretch of road.

M9 – N10 Link Road to Carlow: Grade A. The overall impression created along this route was a clean one with no visible litter issues.

Kilkenny City “cleaner than European norms” 2019

Posted on by

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilkenny- Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) success 2015

Posted on by

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

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 wins overall Ibal award for 2012

Posted on by

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