The latest IBAL (Irish Businesses Against Litter) report, which ranks towns and cities on the level of litter and attractiveness, has been released and Drogheda has been ranked 27 out of 40 on the list and marked as "Clean to European norms".
This is a massive jump from Drogheda's placement on the same report twelve months previously when we were ranked 39 out of 40, and Ireland's official most littered town. This report sparked a massive response from businesses, community, local government and residents and many projects were taken on to improve Drogheda's ranking and reputation, including the creation of the #LookingGoodDrogheda work group and hashtag, aimed at promoting the efforts of many to making the town a more attractive place. The initiative was undertaken by Drogheda Tidy Towns, Drogheda & District Chamber, Love Drogheda Business Improvement District (BID) and Cllr. Michelle Hall, in collaboration with Louth County Council, all of whom are pleased with Drogheda's improved ranking this year.
A TUS litter team was also assembled and have completed daily litter picks and other cleaning projects, such as graffiti removal and weeding across all areas of the town, to great effect. In the 2022 report, Ballsgrove was particularly noted as an area of litter and unattractiveness and in response, a community mural was created with help from Louth County Council, Ballsgrove Youth Club and artist Darrin Finnegan in partnership with Love Drogheda BIDs.
The efforts of so many groups and projects are what garnered the improved result, and the entire community has a duty now to be sure that hard work is not lost. Trevor Connolly, Love Drogheda BIDs CEO noted that “Litter won’t go away on its own so we are determined to work together to create a clean and presentable town”. Board member and local businessman Declan Kierans added further comment stating “We have a fantastic opportunity now to build on the great work carried out over the past year in particular. Let’s ensure we stay focussed.”
Congratulations to all involved in achieving this result for Drogheda town. Let us continue to push for the betterment of the towns appearance. Use the hashtag #LookingGoodDrogheda whenever you are posting across social media and we can keep this positive momentum going.
