CLEAN UP: An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD speaking to volunteers Mary McGillicuddy, James Daly, Killorglin, Mike Myers, Barleymount and Johnny McGuire, Killarney. Photos: Valerie O'Sullivan

By Michelle Crean

A record 6,000 volunteers took part in the eighth annual Kerry County Clean Up on Saturday including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Over 22,000 bags and 1,500 high-vis vests were distributed by KWD Recycling to over 330 groups who got stuck in along the county’s roadsides in towns and villages as part of the clean-up on the day.

The countywide community initiative, which is coordinated by KWD Recycling and Kerry County Council, involved Tidy Towns groups, GAA clubs, IFA and ICMSA members and countless community and voluntary organisations.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, met some of the participants involved in the County Clean Up at the viewing point at Aghadoe at approx. 12noon where he greeted members of the County Clean Up Coordination Team.

Johnny McGuire, who is a member of the coordination team, said the day was a huge success – and although they came across no fly tipping - much of the litter collected was single use plastic.

“110 bags of rubbish was collected between the Cleeney Roundabout and the John Mitchels Road and 84 bags on the scenic road from Muckross Hotel to Molls Gap,” Johnny told the Killarney Advertiser.

“The litter we’re picking up is single use, including cans, sweet wrappers, bottles and paper cups.”

He added that the amount of rubbish they’re collecting is on par with last year. And he said it was a boost to the project, which was conceived eight years ago after Killarney won the national Tidy Towns title, to have Taoiseach Leo Varadkar there.

“It gave a great boost to the whole county. He genuinely was very supportive of the effort.”

[caption id="attachment_25723" align="aligncenter" width="6449"] CLEAN UP: An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, called to Aghadoe, Killarney during the Annual KWD County Clean Up Day, to see first hand Kerry's biggest annual mobilisations of community groups, Tidy Towns committees, sporting organisations, individual residents and families across the county. [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25719" align="aligncenter" width="6720"] Volunteers from Killarney Tidy Towns, Bernadette Randles, and Emer Corridan.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25720" align="aligncenter" width="6720"] Pictured in Farranfore volunteers: Denis McMahon, Terrence Mulcahy, John Kelliher and Cllr John Sheahan.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25721" align="aligncenter" width="6298"] Bridie Doherty and her brother Mike Doherty, volunteers at Looscanaugh Lake.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25722" align="aligncenter" width="6381"] Volunteers from Killarney along with staff members of Kerry County Council and KWD Recycling, gather at Daly's for The Annual KWD County Clean-Up Day.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_25724" align="aligncenter" width="6320"] Volunteers Mary Lyne, Aileen Murphy, Eileen O’Donoghue and Johnny McGuire, on the main Tralee road collecting rubbish.[/caption]