Coastal communities clean up at anti-litter awards
Youghal took the prize for the top large town in the county, and in the process managed to beat off the challenge again of last year’s runner-up, Fermoy. The east Cork town was awarded a total of 686 marks by the judges, nearly 30 ahead of its nearest rival.
People living in another seaside town are also celebrating their achievement. Kinsale won the medium town award with 566 marks, comfortably ahead of second placed Clonakilty at 494.
East Cork was in the awards once more when Ballymacoda took the village title. Although with 287 marks it was a much more closely fought contest, as Ballineen/Enniskeane was just four behind and Meelin just nine.
Meelin was runner-up with 278 marks.
The best newcomer award, which was presented at a special function at the Blarney park Hotel, went to Castletownbere.
Cllr Kevin Murphy, deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, presented the annual Cork County Council's Litter Challenge awards, now in their eighth year.
In total €35,000, which is part funded by an Anti-Litter grant from the Department of the Environment and Local Government, was shared among the winners and runners-up. All participating towns and villages which didn’t win awards each received €200.
“The challenge encourages the right community spirit amongst the towns and villages in the county. This is why anti-litter initiatives are so important and the tremendous assistance and leadership that you continue to give as communities is truly appreciated by Cork County Council. Clearly it is in all our interests to ensure that the litter problem is eradicated, once and for all,” Cllr Murphy said.
The council’s director of waste management service, Katherine Walshe, stated that the local authority was working hand-in-hand with community groups to counter the scourge of litter, so that Co Cork can be a better place to live, work and play in.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
