Upwards of 10,000 people were out on the streets of Limerick city and county today to take part in the biggest one-day clean-up ever staged in Ireland.
Team Limerick Clean-up, (TLC), sponsored by the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and fronted by Paul O’Connell was launched at Clancy’s Strand, where the Monks of Glenstal Abbey set off for a river bank clean-up on the renowned Ilen Gandelow boats as part of the volunteer campaign.
Team Limerick Clean-up (TLC) brought a diverse range of volunteers together including families, community groups, schools, residents’ associations, parishes, and sports clubs from all over the county to clean-up their local area’s in a bid to make Limerick the tidiest and cleanest city in the country.
Every town in the county participated in the clean-up with Murroe and Corbally witnessing the greatest turn-out with over 700 volunteers in Murroe and over 500 in Corbally.
It is estimated that over 40,000 bags of litter will be collected on the day by the event partner, Mr Binman.
Commenting at the launch today, TLC sponsor, JP McManus said; “This is a great day for the people of Limerick. It is not often that community groups, families, residents and sporting organisations can come together on Good Friday and be part of something historic for their county. We were overwhelmed by the incredible number of people who signed up to be part of TLC and wish to thank each and every one of them for taking part.This is just the start for TLC and we look forward to continuing the clean-up tradition for many years to come”.
Paul O’Connell added: “Certainly, for me and my family, the TLC has created a healthy discussion about the importance of looking after your community, taking pride in your area and how litter picking plays a huge part in this. It’s great to be involved in a clean-up initiative which is inclusive of everyone throughout the community from girl guides to senior Cabinet Ministers and with over 10,000 registered volunteers there is huge excitement building in my own area. Even my four year old son, Paddy, can’t wait to wear his own hi-vis jacket and gloves and join up with our neighbours to do our own clean-up tomorrow.”
