Cork County Council names anti-litter challenge winners 

Cork County Council has announced the three winners of its 2025 Anti-Litter Challenge.

The winners of the challenge were announced this week at a special event in Cork County Hall, which saw more than 170 people in attendance.

The competition, aimed at promoting a clean and sustainable society, was first introduced in the 1990s to tackle the problem of litter in Cork county towns and villages.

Communities and villages that take part in the challenge are scored by judges based on the presence or absence of litter on their roads and streets.

This year’s overall winners of the Cork County Council 2025 Anti-Litter Challange were Millstreet, Kanturk, and Crosshaven.

Meanwhile, Macroom was named as the most improved town, with Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh and Knocknagree winning the large village and small village titles, respectively.

Additionally, Passage West and Castletownbere were recognised in the Towns Category A, as well as Mallow and Youghal in the Towns Category B, and Mitchelstown and Clonakilty in the Towns Category C.

The Mayor of County Cork Mary Linehan Foley said that the “work undertaken by voluntary community groups to keep our towns and villages free from litter does not go unnoticed”.

“The awards night is our way of showing our appreciation to those who undertake countless hours of unpaid work,” said Ms Linehan Foley.

“It was wonderful to meet so many volunteers from the 21 towns and 66 villages across the county who took part in this year’s challenge.

“Clean towns and villages have positive environmental, social, and economic spin-offs — and every community who participated benefited.”

Moira Murrell, chief executive of Cork County Council, said that the Anti-Litter Challenge is “one of the council’s most significant community initiatives”, and is “an example of what can be achieved through community spirit and civic pride”.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants whose dedication, year after year, has helped to make the Anti-Litter Challenge such a success,” said Ms Murrell.