Local residents in Galway City are partnering with the Council for a programme of environmental works.

A mix of young people and locals are helping 'green' city laneways and transform them into vibrant, playful and nature-friendly spaces for all of the community to enjoy.

This collaborative project will see local residents and young people plant flowers, shrubs and an 'edible landscape' with the help of Galway City Council Parks staff. Local residents will then take over the maintenance of the planting in the future. They will also be involved in painting vibrant, nature-based murals along the laneways with the help of professional artists.

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Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council, said: "As far as we are aware, the 'Greening of the Laneways' has not been done before in Ireland. It's very much a community-led approach whereby Galway City Council will liaise with local residents, schools, libraries, community centres and youth groups to ascertain how they would like these laneways to be improved.

"If we can get buy-in from the start and create a sense of ownership from the locals - and importantly the young people - then we hope it will pay dividends with a reduction in littering, dumping and graffiti and an increase in biodiversity."

On Saturday 18 September at 11am, a community action day will take place on one of the laneways - the Rocky Road in Westside. This will involve both planting and painting murals on the walls by local residents and young people.

This initiative is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Anti-Dumping Initiative 2021.