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Sligo Tidy Towns Committee Commended

On a recent visit to Sligo the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan TD., commended the Sligo Tidy Towns Committee for their recent works around Sligo. The Minister especially commented on the work carried out at Carrowroe which is just one example of the impressive work that can be carried out between voluntary groups and local authorities with limited financial resources.

The Mayor of Sligo, Councillor David Cawley also thanked the Tidy Towns Committee for their work over the last few years. He sees the work of the Borough Council with the committee as being very important as “local authorities have a central role to play in the development and promotion of the Tidy Towns ideal. It is an important part of our remit to provide practical advice to people involved directly or indirectly in the enhancement of our town and the work to date has shown that partnership between all interested parties is the best way to promote and sustain a tidy urban landscape.”


              Members of the Sligo Tidy Towns committee with Minister Phil Hogan

Sligo Tidy Towns committee have had another busy year to date. Working together with Sligo Borough Council they undertook a program of works to upgrade the area around the Carraroe Retail park roundabout, located on an important approach road into the City. Two derelict sites on either side of the roundabout gave an unsightly appearance to the area. Beech hedging was planted to form a backdrop for future planting and it was decided to use a more mature hedge to screen a derelict house alongside the roundabout.

‘No Butts’ Campaign

Volunteers also repainted the derelict house with the permission of the landowner. Overgrown shrubs were removed from the roundabout and replaced with a wooden border for herbaceous planting. Signs were removed and placed in a more appropriate position, the hedge area was defined out with a border, bark mulch was used for weed control and grass areas were re-seeded.

Earlier in the year the Tidy Towns Committee were involved in the restoration of gates at Marymount Estate and the walls and piers at the gateway off Pearse Road. Again these works were carried out in conjunction with Sligo Borough Council and the local Residents Association. The restoration works involved the stripping of many coats of paints and repainting with specialised paint. Repairs were carried out by Blackdog Forgeworks from Ballintogher.

The committee have also ran several clean ups throughout the year, including the now annual Good Friday Clean Up. They also ran a ‘No Butts’ campaign which sought to raise awareness and provide solutions to cigarette litter. Funding for all these projects has been sourced from fundraising drives by the Tidy Towns committee and grants received from Sligo Borough Council’s 458 Committee. As we approach a busy time in the tourist season a spokesperson for the committee urges people to take care of their litter in a responsible manner. If anyone would like to get involved in the Tidy Towns Committee people are encouraged to contact 087 2432675 or email sligotidytowns@gmail.com