National Spring Clean campaign for Roscommon launched

This year’s National Spring Clean (NSC) was launched at a special event in Áras an Chontae Roscommon last week.

The campaign takes place throughout the month of April and is one of the most popular environmental initiatives in the country with thousands of participants engaging in local clean-ups, transforming communities in the process.

Special guests at the launch were Emlyn Cullen, Project Manager, An Taisce’s Education Unit; Janet Laffey, Community Water Officer with LAWPRO (Local Authorities Waters Programme) and Bernadette Solon, Supervalu National Tidy Towns Adjudicator.

The campaign was launched by the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Liam Callaghan who hailed the efforts of local communities throughout the county for embracing NSC, resulting in considerable benefits for local areas.

“Last year alone, 130 clean-ups took place across Roscommon as part of National Spring Clean with approximately 3,000 volunteers taking part. In recent weeks, community groups have been sourcing packs for this year’s event to assist in the many clean-up’s around the county.

“Communities are the lifeblood of our county – without them, we as a local authority simply couldn’t function. The appearance of any community tells us much about that community itself. A neat and tidy locality demonstrates people who are proud of where they live and where they are from.

“National Spring Clean Week is also about protecting our wildlife and habitats as well as our plant life. It is vitally important that sustainability and biodiversity are at the heart of all of our efforts. I would therefore urge all communities, irrespective of their resources or size to support and participate in this year’s National Spring Clean.!

Environmental Education and Awareness Officer with Roscommon County Council Jonathan Jones said NSC was the perfect opportunity for community groups to reset and re-engage following the long winter season.

“As the country’s largest and most successful anti-litter initiatives, NSC is an ideal way for communities to emerge from the quiet winter months and engage with each other, in the process bring their localities to life.

“National Spring Clean Week is a great way for volunteers who embrace the long evenings and better weather by making a real difference for their community. It’s an ideal way to kick-start the spring and summer season by being engaged in a positive and healthy fashion.

“NSC encourages individuals, communities, schools and other local organisations to take positive and affirmative action by organising clean-ups in their local areas. Everyone is welcome to get involved, volunteers can sign-up individually or as part of a group to receive a free clean-up kit. Register now by visiting www.nationalspringclean.org”, said Mr. Jones.

Participating groups and individuals in this year’s NSC are urged to use only National Spring Clean green and clear bags for the collection of litter only. Any green or household waste placed in these bags cannot be collected. National Spring Clean Week 2026 is an initiative of the Environment section of Roscommon County Council in conjunction with An Taisce.