Sligo has once again proved that real change is possible. After spending several years in the Top Ten of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) rankings, the town has now risen above 40 other towns and cities surveyed, to claim the top spot. What makes this even more impressive is how far Sligo has come. Back in 2007, it was labelled a litter blackspot and ranked at the very bottom of the IBAL list. The transformation since then has been nothing short of remarkable.
This year’s results speak for themselves. Eight out of the ten surveyed locations in Sligo, achieved the highest possible litter grade, with the remaining two narrowly missing out. Such consistently high standards across so many sites reflect a town that takes pride in its appearance and public spaces.
IBAL give several locations special recognition, including: Adelaide Street Car Park, Quayside Shopping Centre and Tobergal Lane. There’s a special mention for the colourful plant pots, which have transformed Tobergal Lane.
Behind this success lies the tireless work of Sligo Tidy Towns. Their dedication, regular clean-ups, and ongoing community engagement have played a vital role in improving Sligo’s streets, lanes and public areas. Sligo Tidy Towns work alongside local agencies, businesses, residents and the local authority, and they are all to be commended.
Sligo’s journey from litter blackspot to national leader is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared goal. The results are not only visible in the rankings, but in the cleaner, and more welcoming town that everyone can enjoy every day.
You can read the full report here: https://ibal.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sligo-Survey-2-2025-Final.pdf Well done to all involved in this wonderful achievement.
Magnumlady Blog 
Leave a comment