Here's the breakdown of how Kildare Town won the tidiest town in Ireland award

Kildare Town was named as the tidiest town in Ireland by the Irish Business Against Litter organisation earlier this, while Maynooth ranked in 14th place and was described as being 'clean to European norms' by the judging committee. IBAL have released the details upon which both towns were judged, and where they gained marks.

Below is the release sent out from the organisation.

Kildare

1st out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

It is rare to find a town in such spotless condition throughout. The Link Road and both approach roads into Kildare Town got the top litter grade and this high standard was sustained for all sites surveyed. The Heritage Centre and Environs were excellent – it takes pride of place in the centre of the town and is clearly very carefully tended. The main thoroughfare (Dublin Street and Claregate Street) has several vacant / disused premises but they have been adorned with ‘Keep Kildare Town Tidy’ artwork for the Educate School and photographs of the town’s historic sites.

Heritage Centre and Environs: Grade A.This was an excellent site. The building has pride of place in the centre of Kildare town. There was plenty of planting surrounding it, including the use of a horse trough as a planter box. The visitor information notice outside the building was being washed on the day of IBAL survey. Attractive paving also contributed to the positive impression created here.

Kildare Town Playground and Park: Grade A. A smallish town park with a playground within. The playground was spotless. The park environment was attractively landscaped with seating area. There was also a relatively new 1916 memorial within the park. All in all, this was a top ranking site throughout.

Educate Together School: Grade A. A brand new school environment which was in pristine condition. The grounds appeared spotless. There was a cycle path within the grounds, as well as the usual road and footpath. Artwork from the Educate Together relating to ‘Keep Kildare Tidy’ was found on some of the vacant / disused premises along the Main Street.

Recycle Facility at Tesco: Grade A. All appeared in good order at this recycle facility. One of the clothing banks was being emptied at time of survey – the area surrounding it seemed tidy.

Lidl: Grade A. (on road from Newbridge direction) The car park and entrance to the store were clean, tidy and well presented. There was a virtual absence of litter with the area looking well.

Campion Crescent: Grade A. A residential area with expansive green area in the centre. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout. There was one flower box with colourful flowers but the remainder were empty and a little sad looking. The paving at the entrance to the estate was a little rough and uneven.

R445 Monasterevin Approach Road: Grade A.A well presented route leading into Kildare Town – no litter was reported here. Between the Kildare Village Roundabout and the junction with R445 there was some Tidy Towns signage relating to Keep Kildare Tidy.

R445 Newbridge Approach Road: Grade A. All was in good order along this road from Newbridge. It was clear of litter throughout the area surveyed.

Dublin Street and Claregate Street: Grade A. Of particular note along this main thoroughfare through Kildare Town is the way in which vacant / unoccupied buildings have been addressed e.g. murals and art workin conjunction with local school (see Educate Together survey site) and photographs of key attractions e.g. Cathedral and Round Tower. Other derelict / run down properties have been painted, taking the ‘bare’ look off them. Abundant flower boxes line the street outside Kildare Town Shopping Centre. There was a complete absence of litter throughout Dublin Street and Claregate Street.

M7 Portlaoise to Kildare Connecting Road: Grade A.Taken in its entirety this route is deserving of the top litter grade. The overall impression created here was a positive one. The road surface was excellent and the roadside maintenance was very good.

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Maynooth:

14th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Clean to European Norms.

A fine result for Maynooth - there were some sites which deserve special mention as they were considerably improved on previous IBAL litter surveys. The first of these was the Main Street which was very nicely presented and clear of litter. The Train Station was also noticeably cleaner than before, as was the Approach from the West. Maynooth Harbour was another top ranking site – it is a lovely amenity which was in very good condition. There were no seriously littered sites in Maynooth and four sites were moderately littered.

Maynooth University: Grade A. Maynooth University has scored very well – not only was it clear of litter throughout (a great feat with so many users of such a large campus) but the overall presentation was excellent e.g. paving, shrubbery, grass, car parking areas etc. Clearly it is a very well respected and cared for environment.

Maynooth Train Station: Grade A. Surveyor remarked that there have been considerable improvements at this train station. The interior was spotless and the exterior was very well presented.

Maynooth Harbour: Grade A. A wonderful natural amenity, with plenty of ducks and swans about. ‘Maynooth Harbour’ signage was in excellent condition and railings, waterway, pathway and general environment were in very good order. To tackle the dog fouling there were some ‘Mutt Mitts’ provided.

Aldi: Grade B. The car park surface, markings and signage were in good order and fresh in appearance. However, the site was let down by heavy levels of fast-food wrappers and cans and lower levels of sweet papers, plastic bottles and plastic bags – mostly in the shrubbery area.

St. Mary’s School: Grade A. The entrance and immediate area surrounding it and the area visible from the road were clear of litter. It seemed to be well served by litter bins and signage relating to parking / bus lanes was in good order.

Recycle Facility at Aldi: Grade B. This was a moderately littered recycle facility. The overall appearance was somewhat untidy, with much of the litter in the surrounding shrubbery area.

Main Street: Grade A. Surveyor remarked that the Main Street was looking considerably better than many previous IBAL litter surveys. Not only was it clear of litter but the general presentation was very good e.g. paving, seat, bollards etc. Some new litter bins certainly contributed to the overall appearance and older ones had been cleaned up.

Approach from West: Grade A. This is another site in Maynooth where surveyor has remarked an improvement. An area near Kilcock had previously been in a poor state has since been cleaned up.

Dunboyne Approach Road: Grade B. This route didn’t appear to be as well maintained as that from the West – there was a definite litter presence, mostly food related.

Dublin – Maynooth Link Road: Grade B. There was a variety of food related litter along this road, particularly on the left hand side between Dublin and Maynooth.