Sligo Crowned Ireland’s Cleanest Town
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.”
