Visitors to Ireland in the year of the Gathering have never seen the country looking as well, according to the latest survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

For the first time, both Dublin and Cork City are clean to European norms, as are the roads from Dublin Airport. The group has warned, however, of neglected pockets of our cities which are still litter blackspots.

The survey by An Taisce of 42 towns and cities, showed three-quarters of areas to be as clean, or cleaner, than European norms. Cavan was Ireland's cleanest town, ahead of last year's winner Kilkenny. Dublin, previously 5th from bottom, was ranked 'cleaner than European norms' in 14th position, with Waterford City in 3rd. Limerick City and Cork City were both successful in attaining 'clean to European norms' status.

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"It has taken over 10 years to get to the point where Dublin is as clean as other European cities, and it's a real turning point in the fight against litter," says IBAL's Dr Tom Cavanagh. "The majority of Irish towns have been clean for a number of years now. Most tourists visiting them, however, were being confronted with litter in Dublin and Cork, creating a poor first impression of our country. Only now can we really promote Ireland as being genuinely clean."

Over 70% of visitors enter Ireland via Dublin or Cork.

The report praised the shopping streets of Grafton Street, Henry Street and O'Connell Street, noting that "Parnell Street, in particular, has improved considerably". Custom House Quay and Bord Gais Energy Theatre and environs were "beautifully presented and maintained".

While the Capital as a whole received its best ever rating, the survey indicated that high-density low-income pockets of cities continue to suffer from widespread litter, such as Dublin's Inner City (North), which was once again slammed as a 'litter blackspot'. An Taisce reported the North Strand as suffering 'long term abuse and neglect', while 'dumping on a widespread scale' blighted the Summerhill area.

(CD/JP)