Volunteers attired in high viz jackets and gloves, armed with litter pickers and bags, often active in early morning and late evening, are a regular sight on our roadsides and streets these days. These tireless individuals devote long hours to keeping our environment clean by picking litter discarded by others.
Their work was recognised by Cork County Council at its recent Anti-Litter Challenge awards, held at County Hall and attended by over 140 community representatives from towns and villages across the county.
I was delighted to see Charleville Tidy Towns acknowledged for their efforts in the competition. Mallow Tidy Towns were worthy winners also.
The competition originated in the 1990s and brings an element of friendly inter-community competition to the ongoing problem of dealing with litter. Twenty towns and sixty-six villages across Cork entered in 2024 and their streets, footpaths and roads were judged over six weeks in May and June. Each place that entered was scored based on the presence of litter and those with the highest scores received special recognition and a coveted ‘county title.
Cllr. John Paul O’Shea with community representatives from Knocknagree and Kildorrery at the awards ceremony.
Cork County Council has announced the winners of its annual Anti-Litter Challenge, which recognises the work undertaken by volunteers across Cork County to keep their towns and villages litter free. Pictured are Sheelaigh O’Shea and Billy O’Mara representatives from Mallow, who were placed 1st in Category C with Deputy Mayor Martin Coughlan and Chief Executive Moira Murrell.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy photography
