All photos: Vicky Comerford
“Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” saw over 50 groups registered to participate in the 1st environmental day of action, with 600 litter pickers distributed along with 6,000 flowering bulbs to neighbourhoods across Kilkenny City. Unfavourable weather on the morning of Kilkenny Day led many groups to postponing their litter pick, and have been active over the past two weeks, when dry spells enabled groups to assemble. Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kilkenny County Council, commented “I’d like to thank all the groups who litter picked their neighbourhoods over the past few weeks, its been incredible experience and the litter packs provide the tools for future litter picks and the planted spring bulbs will stand as a yearly reminder of the community spirit, present in their neighbourhoods”.
Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David Fitzgerald greeted volunteers at various events. The Mayor commented, “I was delighted that “Lets Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” pilot event took place during my term of office, while Kilkenny City is known for its litter free status, engaging the community and enabling them to look after their own neighbourhood is a positive step in assisting Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, the city’s tidy town group to retain their gold medal and strive for another national title”.
Sean McKeown, the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council greeted the participants gathered the Volunteer Centre on the event morning. “The pilot event complemented Kilkenny Day, and it helped us to gain logistical experience in advance of running the much larger event next spring, that will incorporate both the city and county. I am very grateful to our sponsors namely PRL, Dawn Meats, John O Shea Trust and Glanbia PLC/Glanbia Co-op together with our waste management sponsor Panda. They have been instrumental to allow this initiative to become a reality by providing the necessary financial support for the next three years to cement this environmental day of action into the county’s community calendar. I must also thank, Commandant Stephen Mac Eoin and the army personnel from Stephens’ Barracks who very kindly provided their logistical expertise to assist the Council to arrange the community litter packs, as large amount of supplies were ordered and distributed out to the neighbourhoods around Kilkenny City via Stephens’ Barracks.”
The next event will coincide with St Brigid’s Day, the new public holiday on the first weekend in February 2023. Registration is now open for next year’s event, sport groups, community groups, schools and resident associations are welcome to participate by registering via https://cleanup.kilkenny.ie/.
