2018 is off to a flying start for Clare’s capital as Ennis has just been named Ireland’s cleanest town.

Ennis was up against Roscommon and Kildare for the Irish Businesses Against Litter accolade.

A special €40,000 public sculpture is to be commissioned for Ennis to mark the achievement.

Mayor Paul Murphy said the award is “testament to the year round effort” by local volunteers, Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Clare County Council and the business community to keeping Ennis clean.

“Ennis is a vibrant tourism town and a popular shopping destination which benefits greatly from the collective efforts of residents, visitors, the local authority, businesses and voluntary groups to keeping the streets and public spaces free of litter.

“The greatest example of this work was seen during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann when the streets were kept clean as more than 400,000 people visited the town,” he said.

Mayor Murphy added that the recent naming of Ennis as a Coach Friendly Destination and as winner of the Retail Excellence Ireland Friendliest Place Award 2017 is “a vote of confidence in the partnership approach adopted by Clare County Council, Ennis Chamber and the local community to developing and promoting the Clare County Capital.”