Ireland’s Cleanest Town: Naas Takes the Crown (Again!)
Ah, the Emerald Isle, where the air is fresh, the Guinness is flowing, and the towns are sparkling clean! Well, at least one town is, anyway. Naas, the charming County Kildare town, has been declared the cleanest in all of Ireland, according to the latest survey from Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). And we’re not surprised, to be honest. Those Naas folk must be doing something right!
For the uninitiated, IBAL is a business group that’s been keeping an eye on the country’s towns and cities for over two decades, monitoring their cleanliness and ranking them from sparkliest to, well, not-so-sparkly. This year, they surveyed a whopping 40 towns and cities, and Naas came out on top. Again. Yes, folks, Naas is a repeat offender when it comes to being clean. We’re not sure if they’re trying to make the rest of us look bad, but we’re not complaining.
The An Taisce report (that’s the National Trust for Ireland, for our non-Irish speakers) had some very kind words for Naas, stating: "The excellent results obtained in Naas were richly deserved, reflecting the obvious pride that the town takes in its environment." Ah, now, isn’t that just the nicest thing you’ve ever heard? It’s like your mam giving you a big hug and saying, "You’re doing a great job, love!" (Only, you know, without the awkwardness of actually having to hug your mam in public.)
But Naas isn’t the only Kildare town making waves in the cleanliness stakes. Leixlip, another charming spot in the county, has burst back onto the scene, claiming a very respectable 4th position in the rankings. Welcome back, Leixlip! We’re delighted to see you’re keeping it tidy.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: what makes Naas so special? Is it the lush green countryside surrounding the town? The picturesque canal walks? The vibrant cultural scene? (Okay, maybe not that last one, but we’re sure they have a great pub or two.) Whatever it is, the people of Naas are clearly doing something right. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re just naturally tidy, or perhaps they have a secret army of cleanliness ninjas working under the cover of darkness. We may never know.
On a more serious note, though, the IBAL survey highlights the importance of community involvement in keeping our towns and cities clean. It’s not just about the local authorities doing their job (although, let’s be real, they play a huge part); it’s about all of us taking pride in our environment and doing our bit to keep it looking its best. Whether it’s participating in a local clean-up initiative, recycling more, or simply not littering (come on, folks, it’s not that hard!), every little bit counts.
And let’s not forget the economic benefits of having a clean and tidy town. Tourists are more likely to visit (and return) to a place that’s looking its best, and local businesses can thrive in an environment that’s welcoming and well-maintained. It’s a win-win, really.
Of course, not every town or city in Ireland can be as clean and sparkly as Naas (sigh), but we can all learn from their example. So, the next time you’re out and about, take a moment to appreciate the little things: the freshly painted buildings, the well-manicured parks, the lack of litter on the streets. And who knows, maybe your own town or city will be inspired to up its cleanliness game and give Naas a run for its money.
In the meantime, we’ll just have to keep an eye on Naas and see if they can keep up their sparkling clean ways. And to the people of Naas, we say: fair play to ye! You’re making the rest of us look bad, but we’re happy to bask in your cleaning glory. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to find a nice cup of tea and a comfy spot to sit and admire the tidy streets of Naas. Sláinte, everyone!
