Litter group gives its verdict on Limerick city centre

LIMERICK city centre has improved its results in a twice-yearly study of the condition of littering on its streets.

But the city centre is still considered one of the most littered in the State, according to the Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) anti-litter league.

Limerick city centre is placed 36th out of 40 towns and cities nationwide, and is considered moderately littered. It’s a change from six months ago, when the first study of 2025 referenced a number of litter blackspots.

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However, the city lags behind a number of other urban centres across Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Galvone Industrial Estate on the southside ranks 31st out of 40 and is also considered to be moderately littered.

This is according to inspectors from An Taisce appointed by the business group to survey the whole country.

The heritage group’s report for the city centre noted “an improved result for Limerick”.

There are no litter blackspots, they added, “but still a significant number of seriously littered sites.”

Top ranking city centre sites included Henry Street, Thomas Street, O’Connell Street and the People’s Park.

“It wasn’t just the lack of litter which sets these sites apart but the overall presentation and maintenance of same for example signage, tree planting, seating etc,” they said.

The news was not as good for many back-street, laneways and basements across the city.

Inspectors noted issues with littering at laneways at Cruises Street car park, Parnell Street and one off William Street.

As for Galvone, the inspectors praised the fact seven out of the 10 sites it surveyed there have improved compared to recent years.

Examples included Roxboro Shopping Centre, which has been criticised for litter in the past, plus the residential areas of O’Malley Park, Carew Park / Kincora Park and the main area of Galvone Road Industrial Estate / Enterprise Park.

“The two heavily littered/dumped upon sites have been highlighted in many previous Ibal surveys – the Bring Facility at Roxboro Shopping Centre and the area towards the end of Galvone Industrial Estate.

“These continue to bring down the overall ranking,” the inspectors wrote.

In the overall survey, two thirds of towns and cities across Ireland were considered clean.

Naas in Kildare tops the poll, ahead of Ennis and Killarney. Dublin’s north inner city is last.