CLEANING UP: Paul Purcell, Tom O'Connor, Mike Doherty, Micheal O'Donoghue and Stanley Wade from the Killarney Tidy Towns Meitheal group at Pike Hill, Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Tidy Towns judges are on their way and will inspect every aspect of the town – and this week the local volunteers are making a passionate plea for everyone to help clean-up.

Businesses, resident’s associations and the community are being asked to work together to rid the town of cigarette butts, which they say are a scourge on the streets, as well as litter and weeds.

Last year the town received 334 points and a gold medal in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition and locals are now hoping for a better result this year.

However, in order to achieve this, they need the public’s help.

Johnny McGuire, PRO with Killarney Tidy Towns says a lot of work is being done locally but more could be achieved such as cleaning up outside business premises, picking up cigarette butts and litter in the town.

“We’re near judging season for Tidy Towns,” he told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“We’re calling on all businesses to make certain the exterior of their premises is looking presentable for the next few months by keeping it weed and litter free.”

Every Monday and Wednesday volunteers are out in force cleaning up different areas of the town, he added.

Their next meet-up takes place this Monday evening at 6.30pm at Corcorans Furniture to finish grass edges, to paint 'black and amber' on the roundabout and paint signage poles in the general area, and more volunteers are welcome.

Johnny added that recently they’ve had great help from Marks and Spencer staff who volunteered to help the Tidy Towns effort by painting the bridge entrance to the playground in Deenagh.

“Four Marks and Spenser staff spent two days working on that area painting the timber bridge and seats, as part of their Corporate Social Strategy. The power hosing was done by Frank Culloty from Kerry Drains. Lunch was provided by the Ross Hotel and Cronin’s Restaurant in College St.”

[caption id="attachment_26987" align="aligncenter" width="471"] ROAD SWEEPER: Johnny Hickey from the Killarney Tidy Towns Meitheal group sweeping and cleaning the footpath at Pike Hill, Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_26984" align="aligncenter" width="363"] FENCING: Billy Daly from the Killarney Tidy Towns Meitheal group painting a railing at Pike Hill, Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_26980" align="aligncenter" width="650"] DON'T FORGET YOUR SHOVEL: Terence Mulcahy from the Killarney Tidy Towns Meitheal group at Pike Hill, Killarney, on Monday evening. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_26978" align="aligncenter" width="651"] CLEANING UP: Paul Purcell, Tom O'Connor, Mike Doherty, Micheal O'Donoghue and Stanley Wade from the Killarney Tidy Towns Meitheal group at Pike Hill, Killarney. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]