By Elaine McGuinness

news@sligopost.com

Sligo has sky-rocked in cleanliness as it has been named the tidiest large town in Ireland – after ranking as the dirtiest town in the same survey last year.

The examination is carried out by An Taisce for the lobby group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

Sligo has come first in the large towns department and fourth overall tidiest town in Ireland.

Mayor Veronica Cawley told the Sligo Post that people have definitely been more conscientious this year.

“It’s wonderful to see the change in the past year and it goes to show that a lot can be achieved with a little extra effort.”

The Mayor continued to say that people were upset by last year’s outcome and have this year identified more with litter in their area.

“Extra collectors on the streets and recycling banks were at hand and people were more diligent when it came to identifying rubbish and how it affected them.

“As well as making Sligo more attractive to visitors, it instils a sense of pride in the community.”

She concluded in congratulating the people of Sligo for responding and to all those who got involved.

Out of 55 Irish towns surveyed, Sligo proved to be top of the list alongside fellow unsoiled towns Cavan, Dungarvan, Fermoy and Howth.