THE EAST CORK TOURIST TOWN OF YOUGHAL was today languishing in the glory of being named Cork’s Tidiest Town for 2011 in the Irish Business Against Litter League, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment.  The town achieved 6th place in the overall rankings out of 53 towns and cities surveyed.  Killarney, Co. Kerry was declared the country’s cleanest town.

Speaking about the result, Town Clerk Liam Ryan said: “This is a wonderful result for Youghal, and is in line with our marketing strategy for the town.  We have now achieved ‘litter free status’ for six years in a row and this is something that Youghal people can be extremely positive and proud about.  I would encourage the people of the town to become ‘individual ambassadors’ for their town, and who knows, maybe this time next year we will be challenging Killarney for the overall title”.

An Taisce monitors all towns of population 6,000 and over independently, in accordance with international grading standards.   Commenting on the result for Youghal, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “This is the best ever result for Youghal, overall winner 2011 is in sight.  Nine out of ten sites surveyed got the top litter grade.  The Cork Approach and Front Strand Approach were both in excellent condition and the Beach was a particularly well presented environment.”    The survey commended all involved in maintaining the beach environment with the spokesperson saying “it is no easy task to keep a beach environment so well maintained”.

Earlier this year, Youghal was awarded three blue flags for its high water quality and  environmental management standards on its beaches – the only town in Ireland to so.

Set up in 1996, Irish Business Against Litter is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity – notably in the areas of tourism, food and direct foreign investment is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment.

Further information contact: 024-92926 E: liam.ryan@corkcoco.ie

IBAL Anti Litter League 1st Round Results 2011
Ranking     Towns / Cities     Status
1     Killarney     Clean to European Norms
2     Trim     Clean to European Norms
3     Cavan     Clean to European Norms
4     Swords     Clean to European Norms
5     Monaghan     Clean to European Norms
6     Youghal     Clean to European Norms
7     Wexford     Clean to European Norms
8     Ballincollig     Clean to European Norms
9     Dun Laoghaire     Clean to European Norms
10     Tramore     Clean to European Norms
11     Castlebar     Clean to European Norms
12     Waterford City     Clean to European Norms
13     Galway City     Clean to European Norms
14     Kilkenny     Clean to European Norms
15     Bray     Clean to European Norms
Ennis     Clean to European Norms
17     Ballina     Clean to European Norms
18     Cobh     Clean to European Norms
19     Naas     Clean to European Norms
20     Longford     Clean to European Norms
Dungarvan     Clean to European Norms
22     Nenagh     Clean to European Norms
23     Drogheda     Clean to European Norms
Fermoy     Clean to European Norms
Sligo     Clean to European Norms
26     NewcastleWest     Clean to European Norms
27     Tuam     Clean to European Norms
28     Roscommon     Clean to European Norms
29     Navan     Clean to European Norms
30     Tullamore     Clean to European Norms
31     Arklow     Clean to European Norms
32     Kildare     Clean to European Norms
33     Dundalk     Clean to European Norms
34     Tralee     Clean to European Norms
35     Mullingar     Clean to European Norms
36     Gorey     Clean to European Norms
37     Cork City     Clean to European Norms
38     Letterkenny     Moderately Littered
Maynooth     Moderately Littered
Athlone     Moderately Littered
41     Carlow     Moderately Littered
42     Tallaght     Moderately Littered
43     Limerick City     Moderately Littered
44     Portlaoise     Moderately Littered
Mallow     Moderately Littered
New Ross     Moderately Littered
47     Clonmel     Littered
48     Wicklow     Littered
49     Tipperary     Littered
50     Dublin Airport Environs     Littered
51     Dublin City     Litter Blackspot
52     Knocknaheeney     Litter Blackspot
53     North Inner City Dublin     Litter Blackspot