Sligo has once again been officially named Ireland’s cleanest town, securing the top spot in the latest nationwide survey published by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

The survey, conducted by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL, highlighted several standout features across Sligo.  Particular praise was given to its top-ranking approach roads, the “exceptionally freshly presented” Retail Park, and the “complete absence of litter” throughout the Great War Memorial Garden.

Encouragingly, this year’s results show continued progress nationwide, with only one location categorised as “littered,” and none falling into the more severe “seriously littered” or “litter blackspot” categories.

Welcoming the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dónal Gilroy, said the award reflects both sustained effort and a shared vision across the county:

“This recognition is a tremendous honour for Sligo and reflects the collective effort of our communities, businesses, and council staff.  Maintaining such high standards takes ongoing commitment, and I want to commend everyone involved in helping to keep Sligo clean, welcoming, and attractive for residents and visitors alike.  As we head into our peak tourism season, Sligo stands ready to welcome visitors with its absolute best foot forward.”

Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, Martin Lydon, also welcomed the results:

“Retaining the title of Ireland’s cleanest town is a testament to the consistent and collaborative work happening across the county.  From our Tidy Towns volunteers, community groups, local businesses and our Council teams, this achievement highlights what can be accomplished when we work together with a shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable environment.  We will continue to build on this progress—protecting our environment, supporting tourism, and ensuring our towns and public areas remain spotless throughout the year.”

IBAL spokesperson Conor Horgan noted the broader national improvement:

“As the peak season for tourist visitors approaches, we have fewer littered areas than we’ve had at any time in the last 25 years.”

Sligo has been named Ireland’s Cleanest Town in the 2025 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) rankings, marking a historic first for the town. The announcement comes as IBAL’s latest survey of 40 towns and cities shows a nationwide improvement in cleanliness, with no area deemed “seriously littered.”

An Taisce, who conduct the surveys on behalf of IBAL, praised Sligo for its consistently strong performance in recent years. The Quayside Shopping Centre was described as “absolutely spotless throughout,” while Grattan Street, Castle Street, and the town’s bus and train stations were singled out for their high standards. Adelaide Street Car Park was noted as “much improved on past surveys.”

“Sligo has come such a long way from back in 2007, when the town was bottom of our rankings and labelled a litter blackspot,” said IBAL spokesperson Conor Horgan. “It is an illustration of the turnabout that is possible, even in a large town, when council and community come together.”

The Tom Cavanagh Memorial Trophy will be presented to Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dónal Gilroy, at Queen Maeve Square in Sligo town at noon today.

Giving his reaction, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dónal Gilroy said:

“This award shows what Sligo is all about – pride, community, and ambition. From being a litter blackspot to Ireland’s cleanest town, we’ve proven that when people work together, anything is possible.”

He added: “This is a proud day for Sligo and a testament to the dedication and pride of our entire community. This achievement did not happen overnight – it reflects years of commitment from our Council staff, Tidy Towns groups, local businesses, the people of Sligo, schools, and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep Sligo looking its best. As a cultural capital and tourism hub, maintaining the highest environmental standards is essential, and today’s award shows that we are meeting that challenge. Go raibh míle maith agaibh to everyone who played a part in this success.”

Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, Martin Lydon, said:

“This award is a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved when a community works together with its local authority. It reflects the dedication of our Tidy Towns volunteers, local businesses, and our Council teams – especially our Municipal District and Environment crews – who take pride in their work every single day. Cleanliness is not just about appearance; it’s about creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for residents and visitors alike. We will build on this success and continue to position Sligo as a model town for environmental standards and quality of life.”

A welfare station will operate in Queen Maeve Square, Sligo, on Wednesday, 10 December, from 10pm to 2am. The station will be staffed by security personnel, medics, representatives from the ATU Sligo Students’ Union, and the North West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NWRDATF). It will provide water, first aid and advice to anyone on a night out who may need some assistance and a safe space for people waiting to be collected.

This initiative is part of Sligo Town’s Night-Time Economy Pilot, delivered in partnership by Sligo BID and Sligo County Council, and supported and funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s Night-Time Economy Unit.

Edel Doran, Sligo Town Night Time Economy Advisor said:

“A pillar of the Sligo Town Night-Time Economy Action Plan is Safety & Wellbeing. The businesses operating in the evening and at night already put huge effort into caring for their patrons — from supporting the Ask For Angela initiative to promoting the Safe & Sound campaign. We hope that this station will offer additional support for anyone who might need a helping hand during their Christmas night out.”

Emil Kindl, President of ATU Sligo Students’ Union said:

“Student life is far more than lectures and assignments! Students are the heartbeat of Sligo’s vibrancy, especially at night and their safety and comfort must always be the top priority. This welfare station is a strong demonstration of that commitment, and we’re proud to stand with our partners in creating a safer, more supportive night-time environment for everyone and providing helping hand for people who are in need.”

The NWRDATF volunteer staff team also welcome the opportunity to provide a harm reduction tent and harm reduction support information in order to promote a safe and healthy event

Tubbercurry has been awarded the top honour in the 2,000–5,000 population category at the prestigious All-Island Pride of Place Awards, held last Friday night in Limerick.

The Pride of Place Awards, Ireland’s largest celebration of community spirit, are organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. The initiative recognises the extraordinary efforts of individuals and groups who work tirelessly to make their communities more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient.

Joann Hosey, Chair of the Tubbercurry Town Team, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the town’s volunteer groups, local businesses, and community organisations.

“Volunteerism is the quiet engine of progress in every town. In Tubbercurry, it’s loud with impact,” Joann said. “This recognition is a testament to what happens when people come together with purpose and pride.”

“Congratulations to all the volunteers, and community supporters who make Tubbercurry a beacon of community excellence”, she concluded.

The Tubbercurry Town Team, Tubbercurry Development Company, and a vibrant network of festivals and community groups benefit from the strong support of Sligo County Council.

Croí, the Heart & Stroke Charity, is delighted to announce that the Croí Mobile Health Hub will be visiting Queen Maeve’s Square, Sligo, on Wednesday 24^th and Thursday 25^th September, offering two full days of free heart health checks and education in the lead-up to World Heart Day on Monday, September 29^th. This important health event is brought to Sligo with the support of event sponsor Benecol, and in partnership with Sligo County Council.

From 10am to 4pm each day, members of the public are invited to step inside the state-of-the-art Croí Mobile Health Hub, where they can avail of free cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse, and stethoscope checks along with CPR Demonstrations. Croí’s multidisciplinary health team will be on hand to provide advice on heart health, share practical information on prevention, and answer any questions about cardiovascular wellbeing.

The Croí Mobile Health Hub is the first of its kind in Ireland dedicated to stroke prevention and heart health – a custom-built, 13.6-metre-long, multi-purpose mobile unit and the largest mobile stroke and heart disease detection facility in the country. It features six private assessment cubicles, two consultation rooms, and the ability to transform into an open-plan educational and training facility for up to 40 visitors. Its primary mission is to bring heart disease and stroke prevention directly into communities through early detection, risk assessments, and community-based education.

As part of World Heart Month, and on FH (Familial Hypercholesterolemia) Awareness Day (24^th September) this initiative highlights the importance of prevention in tackling cardiovascular disease, the world’s biggest killer, responsible for over 20.5 million deaths globally each year. Heart health often does not receive the priority it deserves, Croí and Sligo County Council is encouraging the public to take proactive steps in protecting their cardiovascular health while also supporting greater national policies to address this urgent issue.

Croí invites everyone in Sligo and the surrounding areas to join them on Wednesday 24^th and Thursday 25^th September, from 10am to 4pm at Queen Maeve’s Square, to avail of free heart health checks and learn more about how small steps today can make a life-saving difference tomorrow.

Croí wishes to acknowledge the support from Benecol, as the event sponsor for the Sligo Mobile Health Hub visit, and Sligo County Council for collaborating on this important initiative to raise awareness of heart health and prevention.

For more information, visit: www.croi.ie/events