Dún Laoghaire one of the cleanest towns in 2021 IBAL national survey

IBAL’S Report on Dún Laoghaire

An excellent result for Dún Laoghaire with seven out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. There were no seriously littered sites. Both George’s Street Upper and Lower were exceptionally clean and the establishment of a ‘plaza’ area on Lower George’s Street has resulted in a lovely outdoor space with picnic tables, substantial planting, attractive public toilet building and hands-free water feature – a great bonus for the town of Dún Laoghaire.

Approach from Seapoint: Grade A.  Due to the reconfiguration of this route, it is only accessible by bicycle / walking from Seapoint and then by car from the junction with the Purty Loft.  The stretch from Seapoint by bicycle / foot was exceptionally freshly presented with attractively landscaped park to the left.  It was spotless throughout.  Closer Dún Laoghaire, there was a virtual absence of litter.

Open park beside West Pier Pumping Station: Grade A.  (close to Salthill DART Station). An attractively laid out expanse of green space with seating and picnic tables dotted throughout.  There was a virtual absence of litter, and the adjoining 'Bring Facility' was in good order.

Brock's Lane: Grade B+.  The paving along this laneway certainly gives this laneway a lift in an otherwise back-lane environment.  Many years ago it had been a heavily littered site, less so today.

Lower George's Street: Grade A.  It takes a big effort to keep a street as long as this one so clean. The overall presentation of same continues to be enhanced with increased provision of wooden seating, Tidy Towns sponsored planting and the new 'plaza' area outside the cinema - this has been beautifully laid out with a small stage, planting, picnic tables, hands free water fountain and attractive public toilet building.  It provides an opportunity for pause in an otherwise busy shopping environment.

Mallin / Dún Laoghaire Train Station: Grade A.  The interior of the station and the platforms were spotless and well served by litter bins.  Bins, seating, signage were all in very good order.  There were small quantities of plastic bottles and cans on the train tracks, any increase in same would result in a lower litter grade.

York Road: Grade A.  There were no visible litter issues along this route into Dún Laoghaire.  The two boarded up houses at the top of the road create a poor impression but didn’t negatively on the overall litter situation.

Promenade from People's Park to Sandycove: Grade B+.  The stretch from Sandycove up to the building site for the Dún Laoghaire Baths was superb, a wonderful natural amenity with seating, picnic tables, PE equipment, sculptures and extensive grass area - this was spotless throughout, despite plenty of activity.  The picnic table area opposite the Dún Laoghaire Baths building site harboured a variety of food related litter.  If it wasn't for this area the site would have got the top litter grade.

Upper George's Street:  Grade A.  It was striking how clean the entire length of this street was.  A series of boarded up premises had been painted and this very much took away the bare look.

Clarinda Park: Grade B. An attractive residential square with open park / tennis courts in the centre and lovely pathway through the centre of the grass.  There was some occasional litter around the perimeter of the courts and at the bicycle parking area, but it was the miscellaneous items in the top left hand corner of the parking which brought down the litter grade.  A careful eye needs to be kept to ensure that it doesn't deteriorate.

Glenageary Road, Lower: Grade A.  There was a virtual absence of litter along this route into Dún Laoghaire.  Graffiti was very much a feature, especially along the left-hand side as one comes down the hill.