Cavan Town has once again finished first in the IBAL anti-litter league. Photographed are members of the team who help to keep the town litter free. From left: David Guilliland, Edward Brady, Max Mason, Brian Hora, Town Clerk, Patsy Sheridan, Tommy Conaty, Patrick Fitzsimons and Livinus Briody. Phot

Cavan back on top of anti-litter league

Cavan may not yet be able to skin the Kilkenny Cats when it comes to hurling, but in terms of performance in the all-Ireland litter league, Cavan has toppled Kilkenny off the number one spot.
Cavan Town, with a status of being cleaner than European norms, is once again the cleanest town in all of Ireland in the IBAL (Irish Businesses Against Litter) league, a position attained on a number of occasions, since the inception of the league over a decade ago.
Over that time Cavan has never been out of the top 10 - testimony to all involved at Cavan Town Council and in particular the hard working outdoor staff.
IBAL says that over three-quarters of hotel grounds surveyed were litter free and a small number were judged to be seriously littered. Cavan’s three hotels, however scored top marks and helped the town to secure the number one spot on the table.
Cavan Town Manager Ger Finn told The Anglo-Celt that they were delighted with the result.
“As this is the last year of the Town Council, we are thrilled to be back on top again. It is a great tribute to all the team involved including Town Clerk Brian Hora, Alan Lyons, the town engineer; Bernadette McGovern and all the outdoor team and Town Foreman Brian Mulligan,” said Mr Finn.
He added that the entire town looks well and highlighted Railway Road, Cathedral Road and all of Main Street.

Joint-effort
“All the residents associations have bought in – IBAL inspects the environs of the town now, as well, so the state enhancement awards has paid off,” said Ger Finn.
Mr Finn said there was a “challenge” after the Fleadh to keep Cavan’s profile in national consciousness and that “this result is a great boost to that”.
“This year we have had numerous e-mails and tweets in regard to the cleanliness of the town and how well it is looking. MEP Mairead McGuinness made reference to it at the outset of speech at the Taste of Cavan”, he said.
The Town Clerk Brian Hora said “we have a great record in the competition, since it commenced in 2002. We have twice been winners and have come second on four occasions and have never been outside the top ten.
“There is not a town in the country that can match that record. It is a great achievement and a lot of credit is due to our outdoor staff – they do great work all year round. It is their hard work that keeps the record going like that.
“We get a lot of positive comment on the floral displays and the overall appearance of the town. It is something we work hard on.
“We know it is important that the town is well maintained and that obviously has a good knock-on effect for local business and tourism. We know that and one of our main aims every year is to ensure we are litter free and we have been successful in doing that,” he said.